Vehicular video mirror system

ABSTRACT

A video mirror system suitable for use in a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly having a reflective element and a video display screen module. The video display screen module may have a metallic enclosure and at least one of (a) a polarizer film and (b) a brightness enhancing film, and includes a liquid crystal display panel that is back lit by a plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes. The video display screen module is fixedly disposed to the rear of the reflective element or near the reflective element or is extendable from a position at the rear of the reflective element to a position near the reflective element. The video display screen module, when activated, displays video images viewable by the driver and having a driver-viewable display luminance of at least about 700 candelas per square meter when viewable by the driver during daytime viewing.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/284,543, filed Nov. 22, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,370,983,which claims benefit of U.S. provisional applications, Ser. No.60/630,061, filed Nov. 22, 2004; and Ser. No. 60/667,048, filed Mar. 31,2005; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/284,543 is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/538,724,filed Jun. 13, 2005 now abandoned, and published Mar. 9 2006 as U.S.Publication No. 2006/0050018; which is a 371 national phase applicationof PCT Application No. PCT/US03/40611, filed Dec. 19, 2003, which claimsbenefit of U.S. provisional applications, Ser. No. 60/435,554, filedDec. 20, 2002; Ser. No. 60/439,626, filed Jan. 13, 2003; Ser. No.60/489,812, filed Jul. 24, 2003; and Ser. No. 60/492,225, filed Aug. 1,2003; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/284,543 is also acontinuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/755,915,filed Jan. 13, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,446,650, which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/793,002, filed Feb.26, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,690,268, which claims benefit of U.S.provisional applications, Ser. No. 60/263,680, filed Jan. 23, 2001; Ser.No. 60/243,986, filed Oct. 27, 2000; Ser. No. 60/238,483, filed Oct. 6,2000; Ser. No. 60/237,077, filed Sep. 30, 2000; Ser. No. 60/234,412,filed Sep. 21, 2000; Ser. No. 60/218,336, filed Jul. 14, 2000; and Ser.No. 60/186,520, filed Mar. 2, 2000, which are all hereby incorporatedherein by reference in their entireties.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of interiorrearview mirror systems for vehicles and, more particularly, to interiorrearview mirror systems which incorporate a video display screen. Thepresent invention also relates generally to vehicle accessory systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known to provide a video display screen at an interior rearviewmirror assembly of a vehicle, such as, for example, a video displayscreen of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,428,172 for REARVIEWMIRROR ASSEMBLY WITH UTILITY FUNCTIONS, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,175,300 forBLIND SPOT VIEWING SYSTEM, which are hereby incorporated herein byreference. It has also been suggested to provide a mirror or a displaywhich may be indexed in and out of a mirror case, such as from thebottom of the mirror case, such as also disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.6,428,172, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

Drivers of vehicles, particularly larger vehicles, such as sport utilityvehicles (SUVs) and the like, may be faced with a reduced or obstructedfield of vision toward the rear and rearward of the vehicle as moreobjects, such as headrests and entertainment video screens, may block orobstruct a driver's rearward view, whether the driver uses the rearviewmirror or even if the driver turns around to generally face the rearwindow of the vehicle. Larger SUVs may have even less visibility to theimmediate rear of the vehicle. Various backup aids have been proposed toprovide a display of an image of the exterior scene rearward of thevehicle for viewing by the driver.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an interior rearview mirror assemblyhaving a video display screen which may be extended and retracted viasliding movement laterally along or via one or more sliding members orrails or bearings or other mating/moving elements, such as positionedwithin the casing of the interior rearview mirror assembly. As usedherein, the term video display screen describes the video display screenand the associated components and circuitry. The video display screenmay movably or slidably extend from a side of the mirror assembly andtoward the driver or passenger side of the vehicle along the rail orrails to an extended or use position, whereby the video display screenis substantially extended from the mirror casing, and where the screen(and any image or icon or character or indicia or the like displayedthereon) is viewable by a vehicle occupant, such as a driver or a frontseat passenger of the vehicle. When not in use, the video display screenmay be retracted to or stowed in a non-use position, whereby the videodisplay screen is positioned substantially within the mirror casing orwhere the display screen is positioned behind a reflective elementportion of the mirror assembly, and where the screen is preferablysubstantially or entirely not viewable by a person within the cabin ofthe vehicle. The video display screen may thus be movable or slidable ina direction generally parallel to the reflective element of the mirrorassembly or generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of thevehicle.

According to an aspect of the present invention, an interior rearviewmirror system for a vehicle comprises a casing, a reflective element,such as positioned at a bezel portion of the casing, and a video displayscreen slidably mounted at the casing. The video display screen ismovable or slidable in a direction generally parallel to a length axisof the reflective element between a retracted, non-use position, whereinthe video display screen is positioned substantially within the casing,and an extended, use position, wherein the video display screen issubstantially extended from a side of the casing for viewing by anoccupant of the vehicle.

The video display screen may be mounted to at least one sliding memberwhich is slidable relative to the casing. The sliding member or membersmay be slidable along or within a sliding block mounted within thecasing. Optionally, the video display screen may be slidable along atleast one rail or track or guide positioned within the casing.Optionally, the video display screen may be otherwise movable along oneor more rails or tracks, such as via a plurality of roller bearings orthe like. Optionally, the video display screen may be pivotable about apivot joint or knuckle joint when extended to the use position.

The video display screen may be manually pulled or extended or retractedor may be electronically or automatically extended or retracted (such asby a motorized action or by a spring action). The display screen may beautomatically extended in response to a signal indicative of anactivating event, such as an actuation of a manual or user input, anengagement of the reverse gear of the vehicle, actuation of a backup aiddevice or system or other reverse viewing or imaging device or system,actuation of a cabin viewing device or system, such as a baby viewing orrear seat viewing device or system or the like, actuation of a videocommunication device or system, actuation of a navigation system of thevehicle and/or approach of a waypoint of a programmed route of thenavigation system and/or the like. The video display screen may also bemanually pushed or retracted to the non-use position or may beautomatically retracted in response to a signal indicative of adeactivating event, such as an actuation of a manual or user input, acuring or completion of the activating event or condition, adisengagement of the reverse gear of the vehicle, deactivation of abackup aid device or system or other reverse viewing or imaging deviceor system, deactivation of a cabin viewing device or system, such as ababy viewing or rear seat viewing device or system or the like,deactivation of a video communication device or system, deactivation ofa navigation system of the vehicle and/or passing of the waypoint of theprogrammed route and/or the like.

Optionally, the video display screen may be spring-loaded or biasedtoward the extended position and selectably securable at the non-useposition. When stowed in the non-use position, pressing laterally inwardon the video display screen may release or unlatch the video displayscreen such that the biasing member or spring urges or moves or biasesthe video display screen to the extended, use position. Pressinglaterally inward or pushing the video display screen into the mirrorcasing to the non-use position may then latch or secure the videodisplay screen in the non-use position substantially within the mirrorcasing.

The mirror assembly may be mounted at a windshield of the vehicle or atan overhead accessory console or accessory module of the vehicle.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an interiorrearview mirror system for a vehicle includes an interior rearviewmirror assembly including a first portion and a second portion. Thefirst portion includes a reflective element and a mounting element formounting the mirror assembly at an interior portion of the vehicle. Thefirst portion has a first casing element that has a rear surface. Themounting element extends rearward from the first portion toward awindshield of the vehicle when the interior rearview mirror assembly ismounted at the interior portion of the vehicle. The second portionincludes a display screen and has a second casing element. The secondportion is adapted for attaching to the first portion in a manner sothat the second portion is movable relative to the first portion. Thesecond portion is movable relative to the first portion to move thedisplay screen between a retracted position, where the display screen ispositioned substantially at and behind the first portion with thedisplay screen facing the first portion, and an extended position, wherethe display screen is substantially extended from the first portion at adisplay side of the mirror assembly for viewing by an occupant of thevehicle. The second portion includes a slot for at least partiallyenveloping a portion of the mounting element at least when the secondportion is at least partially retracted. At least a portion of the rearsurface of the first casing element is exposed when the display screenis in the extended position.

Optionally, at least a portion of the second portion may move past themounting element and toward the opposite side of the mirror assemblyfrom the display side when the second portion is moved toward theretracted position. Optionally, the slot may substantially envelop themounting element throughout the range of movement of the second portionrelative to the first portion. Optionally, the second portion mayinclude a self-contained display element subassembly. The self-containeddisplay element subassembly may include the display screen, displayscreen circuitry, a motor for driving movement of the display screenrelative to the first portion, and motor circuitry.

Therefore, the present invention provides a video display screen whichis extendable from a side of a mirror casing for viewing by an occupantof a vehicle. The video display screen may be positioned substantiallywithin the casing when not in use, or may be located behind a reflectiveelement portion or casing, and may be extended substantially outwardfrom the casing or side of the mirror assembly and toward the driver orpassenger side of the vehicle when viewing of the video display screenis desired. By slidably positioning (or otherwise movably positioning)the video display screen within or behind the mirror casing, the presentinvention provides for a large video display screen to enhance viewingof the images displayed thereon by the driver or other occupant of thevehicle, while having a minimal affect on the size of the casing.Optionally, the casing may be formed to be wide or tall enough toreceive the video display screen therein, with the casing being at leastas wide as the height dimension of the video display screen. Optionally,the mirror reflective element portion and associated casing element maybe sized so that the display screen is movable along a rear surface ofthe reflective element portion, whereby the casing and reflectiveelement portion may comprise a low profile portion with a reducedheight, so as to reduce intrusion of the driver's forward field of view.

These and other objects, advantages, purposes and features of thepresent invention will become apparent upon review of the followingspecification in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an interior rearview mirrorassembly in accordance with the present invention, with a video displayscreen in its retracted position;

FIG. 2 is another front perspective view of the interior rearview mirrorassembly of FIG. 1, with the video display screen in its extendedposition;

FIG. 3 is another front perspective view of the interior rearview mirrorassembly of FIGS. 1 and 2, with the video display screen in its extendedposition;

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the interior rearview mirrorassembly, with the video display screen in its retracted position;

FIG. 5 is another rear perspective view similar to FIG. 4, with thevideo display screen in its extended position;

FIG. 6 is a front elevation of an interior rearview mirror assembly inaccordance with the present invention, with the video display screen inits retracted position;

FIG. 7 is a front elevation of the interior rearview mirror assembly ofFIG. 6, with the video display screen in its extended position;

FIG. 8 is rear elevation of the interior rearview mirror assembly ofFIGS. 6 and 7, with the video display screen partially extended;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the interior rearview mirror assembly of FIGS.6-8, with the video display screen partially extended;

FIG. 10 is a front elevation of the interior rearview mirror assembly ofFIGS. 6-9, with the video display screen in its retracted position andwith the reflective element and bezel portion partially removed to showadditional details;

FIG. 11 is a front elevation of the interior rearview mirror assembly ofFIGS. 6-10, with the video display screen partially extended and withthe reflective element and bezel portion partially removed to showadditional details;

FIG. 12 is a rear perspective view of a video display screen actuator inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 13 is an end elevation of the video display screen actuator of FIG.12;

FIG. 14 is a sectional view of the video display screen of the presentinvention;

FIG. 15 is a front perspective view of a mirror assembly and displayscreen in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a rear perspective view of another mirror assembly with adisplay screen movably mounted therein in accordance with the presentinvention, with the rear casing of the mirror assembly removed;

FIG. 17 is a front perspective view of the display screen and rearcasing of the mirror assembly, with the reflective element assembly,circuit board and bezel removed to show additional details;

FIG. 18 is a front perspective view similar to FIG. 17, but with thedisplay screen in its retracted position;

FIG. 19 is a front perspective view of another mirror assembly anddisplay screen in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 20 is a front elevation of another mirror assembly and displayscreen in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 21 is a front elevation of the mirror assembly of FIG. 20, with thedisplay screen retracted;

FIG. 22 is a front elevation of another mirror assembly and displayscreen in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 23 is a front elevation of the mirror assembly of FIG. 22, with thedisplay screen retracted;

FIG. 24 is a front elevation of another mirror assembly and displayscreen in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 25 is a front elevation of the mirror assembly of FIG. 24, with thedisplay screen retracted;

FIG. 26 is a front elevation of another mirror assembly and displayscreen in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 27 is a front elevation of the mirror assembly of FIG. 26, with thedisplay screen retracted;

FIG. 28 is a front elevation of another mirror assembly and displayscreen in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 29 is a front elevation of the mirror assembly of FIG. 28, with thedisplay screen retracted;

FIG. 30 is a front perspective view of another mirror assembly anddisplay screen in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 31 is a rear perspective view of the mirror assembly of FIG. 30;

FIG. 32 is a rear perspective view of the mirror assembly of FIG. 30,with the display screen retracted;

FIG. 33 is a front perspective view of another mirror assembly anddisplay screen in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 34 is a rear perspective view of the mirror assembly of FIG. 33;

FIG. 35 is a front elevation of another mirror assembly and displayscreen in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 36 is a front elevation of the mirror assembly of FIG. 35, with thedisplay screen retracted;

FIG. 37 is a front elevation of another mirror assembly and displayscreen in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 38 is a front elevation of the mirror assembly of FIG. 37, with thedisplay screen retracted;

FIG. 39 is a front elevation of another mirror assembly and displayscreen in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 40 is a front elevation of the mirror assembly of FIG. 39, with thedisplay screen retracted;

FIG. 41 is a front elevation of another mirror assembly with a displayscreen pivotally mounted thereon in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 42 is a rear perspective view of the mirror assembly of FIG. 41,with the display screen pivoted to its storage position;

FIG. 43 is another rear perspective view of the mirror assembly of FIG.41, with the display screen pivoted to its in use position;

FIG. 44 is a front elevation of another mirror assembly and displayscreen in accordance with the present invention, with a fixed displayscreen at the reflective element;

FIG. 45 is a front elevation of another mirror assembly and fixeddisplay screen in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 46 is another front elevation of the mirror assembly of FIG. 45,showing the fixed display screen displaying navigational instructions inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 47 is an exploded perspective view of another mirror assembly, withan attachable module that attaches to the lower portion of the mirrorcasing in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 48 is a lower perspective view of the mirror assembly of FIG. 47 asassembled;

FIG. 49 is a front elevation of the mirror assembly of FIG. 48;

FIG. 50 is a front elevation of another mirror assembly similar to themirror assembly of FIG. 49, but with the module attached to an upperportion of the mirror casing in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 51 is an exploded perspective view of another mirror assemblysimilar to that of FIG. 47, with illumination sources added to theattachable module;

FIG. 52 is an exploded perspective view of another mirror assemblysimilar to that of FIG. 51, with other illumination sources added to theattachable module;

FIG. 53 is a block diagram of a graphic overlay system in accordancewith the present invention; and

FIG. 54 is a block diagram of a display control system in accordancewith the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings and the illustrative embodiments depictedtherein, an interior rearview mirror assembly 10 for a vehicle includesa casing 12, a bezel portion 14 and a reflective element 16 positionedat and at least partially within the casing and/or bezel portion (FIGS.1-3). Mirror assembly 10 includes a video display screen device 18,which is movably or slidably mounted at least partially within casing 12and movable or slidable between a retracted or stored or non-useposition (as shown in FIGS. 1, 4, 6 and 10) and an extended or useposition (as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 5 and 7). Video display screen device18 includes a video display screen 20 mounted on a frame or support 22,which in turn is mounted at or positioned at one or more slide members24 (FIGS. 10 and 11) at or within casing 12. Video display screen 20 isoperable to display information or images for viewing by the driver orother occupant or occupants of the vehicle when video display screendevice 18 is in its extended position, as discussed below. The termvideo display screen is used herein to describe the video display screenand any components and circuitry associated with the video displayscreen which are generally contained at or within the frame or support22.

As can be seen in FIGS. 2, 3, 5, 7, 10 and 11, casing 12 of mirrorassembly 10 is wide enough to allow frame 22 and video display screen 20to slide therewithin and generally along and parallel to and behind thereflective element 16, such that the video display screen 20 is slidablein a direction generally transverse to the longitudinal direction of thevehicle when the mirror assembly is mounted to the vehicle. As shown inFIG. 4, mirror reflective element 16 consists of a length dimensionalong its length axis 40 and a width dimension along its width axis 42.The length dimension of the reflective element is typically at leastapproximately 5.5 inches, more preferably at least approximately 7.5inches, and most preferably at least approximately 9.5 inches, while thewidth dimension of the reflective element is preferably at leastapproximately two inches, more preferably at least approximately 2.5inches, and most preferably at least approximately three inches, and isselected to allow sufficient clearance for lateral movement of the videodisplay screen therewithin. Preferably, the ratio of the lengthdimension to the width dimension is at least two, and more preferably atleast three.

Because the video display screen is positioned within the mirror casingand is movable or slidable along the length axis and outward from a sideof the mirror casing, the video display screen may comprise a large,rectangular-shaped video display screen to enhance viewing of the videodisplay screen by the driver or occupant of the vehicle. The mirrorcasing is formed to be at least as wide or tall as the height dimensionof the video display screen. The width or length of the video displayscreen (the dimension of the display screen that is along the lengthaxis of the mirror) may be selected depending on the desired size of theviewing area and on the lateral space within the associated mirrorcasing. Preferably, the video display screen is a least approximatelytwo inches wide or long, more preferably at least approximately 2.5inches wide or long, and most preferably at least approximately threeinches wide or long. The video display screen thus may fit or move orslide laterally within the mirror casing and may provide an increasedviewing area without requiring a substantial increase to the size of themirror casing.

Although shown and described as slidably extending from a side orportion of an interior rearview mirror assembly, the display screen ofthe present invention may extend from a portion of the mirror assemblyelsewhere at or on the mirror assembly (such as extending upward from anupper portion of the mirror assembly or downward from a lower portion ofthe mirror assembly), or from a portion of the support structure of themirror assembly (such as in a single ball mounting member arrangement),such as a support structure of the types described in U.S. Pat. No.6,087,953, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. Aspects andprinciples of the present invention may also be suitable for suchdisplay screens that may slide or move to extend from the upper or lowerportion of the mirror assembly.

Optionally, the display screen device of the present invention may bepositioned at or at least partially within a casing or housing of awindshield electronics module or accessory module, such as thosedescribed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/958,087, filed Oct. 4,2004 by Schofield et al. for VEHICLE ACCESSORY MODULE, now U.S. Pat. No.7,188,963; and/or Ser. No. 11/226,628, filed Sep. 14, 2005, andpublished on Mar. 23, 2006 as U.S. Patent Publication No. 2006/0061008;and/or U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,824,281, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,824,281; and/or6,690,268, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference, or anoverhead console or module or the like, such as those described in PCTApplication No. PCT/US03/40611, filed Dec. 19, 2003 and published Jul.15, 2004 as International Publication No, WO 2004/058540, and U.S.patent application Ser. No. 10/538,724, filed Jun. 13, 2005, andpublished Mar. 9, 2006 as U.S. Publication No. 2006/0050018, which arehereby incorporated herein by reference. The display screen may extendfrom a portion or side of the accessory module or the like, or mayextend from another portion of the accessory module or the like, or froma support structure of the accessory module or the like (such asdescribed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/226,628, filed Sep. 14,2005, and published on Mar. 23, 2006 as U.S. Patent Publication No.2006/0061008, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference), withoutaffecting the scope of the present invention.

Frame 22 of video display screen device 18 substantially surrounds andencases video display screen 20 and may include an outer graspingportion or end portion 22 a. End portion 22 a and casing 12 may becorrespondingly formed such that end portion 22 a generally nestspartially within casing 12 when video display screen device 18 is in itsretracted position. Also, end portion 22 a may be formed to generallycorrespond with the exterior surface of casing 12, such that end portion22 a may provide a generally flush, uniform appearance to the side ofthe mirror casing when the device is fully retracted. As best seen inFIGS. 4, 5, 8 and 9, end portion 22 a may include a grasping portion orlip 22 b which extends rearward from video display screen device 18 toprovide a handle or grasping surface for a user of video display screendevice 18 to grasp and pull to manually pull frame 22 and video displayscreen 20 outward from casing 12 to the extended position. Optionally,casing 12 may further include a recessed or cut away area 12 a (FIG. 1)at the side of the casing to facilitate grasping of the end portion 22 aof frame 22, without affecting the scope of the present invention.Optionally, and desirably, the display screen device may not include anouter grasping portion and may be substantially flush with the exteriorsurface of the mirror casing when the display screen is fully retracted,such that a user cannot readily pull the screen outward from the mirrorcasing.

Video display screen 20 may be slidable or extendable/retractable viasliding movement of a rail or guide or track or the like relative to areceiving block or guide or the like that slidably receives or guidesthe rail or guide or track or the like as the display screen extends andretracts relative to the mirror casing. In the illustrated embodiment ofFIGS. 10 and 11, video display screen device 18 includes a sliding block26 positioned within casing 12 to facilitate sliding movement of frame22 and video display screen 20 relative to casing 12. Sliding block 26may comprise a plastic or polymeric material and is configured toslidably or movably receive one or more slide members or rails or guidesor tracks 24 therethrough. As can be seen with reference to FIGS. 10 and11, the sliding members 24 may comprise generally cylindrical bars orrods which are fixedly secured to frame or support 22 and are slidablerelative to sliding block 26 to facilitate sliding movement of frame 22and video display screen 20 relative to sliding block 26 and casing 12.The sliding members 24 are positioned generally parallel to thereflective element 16 of the mirror assembly 10 for sliding orconduiting or conveying the video display screen 20 and frame 22generally parallel to the reflective element and, thus, generallytransverse to the longitudinal axis or direction of the vehicle when themirror assembly 10 is mounted to the vehicle. Although shown anddescribed as being fixedly mounted to one or more sliding rods ormembers, the frame or support of the video display screen device mayalternately be slidably mounted to one or more rods or members or railsor tracks or the like which are generally fixedly positioned along themirror casing, without affecting the scope of the present invention. Ifmovable along a single rack or track or monorail, the display screen maystraddle the single rail, which may extend generally along and partiallythrough a middle region of the mirror casing and/or display screen toprovide sufficient support of the display screen.

The display screen and frame may be manually movable along the rods ormembers and/or may be electronically driven or moved (and preferablyunder microprocessor control) via a drive motor or the like, asdiscussed below. Optionally, the display screen and frame may be movableor slidable or extendable/retractable via a moving mechanism or drivemechanism utilizing aspects disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,325,518 and6,726,337, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. The cableor wire that feeds the display screen, such as to provide power and/orcontrol to the display screen, may be guided to provide correspondingextension and retraction of the cable/wire or the like in tandem withthe display screen, or the electrical connection may be made via slidingelectrical contact between the rails or guides or the like of thesliding or moving mechanism, without affecting the scope of the presentinvention.

Optionally, as shown in phantom in FIG. 9, frame 22 may be pivotableabout a generally vertical pivot axis or knuckle joint 28 or the likewhen video display screen device 18 is in its fully extended position(such as shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 7). The frame 22 may be pivoted orcanted about the pivot axis in either direction to adjust a viewingangle of the video display screen 20 to provide optimal viewing of thescreen by the driver or other occupant of the vehicle. As can be seenwith reference to FIG. 9, the casing 12 may limit or substantiallypreclude pivotal movement of frame 22 and video display screen 20 untilframe 22 and video display screen 20 are in their fully extendedposition with the pivot joint 28 being positioned outward or at theexterior of casing 12, Alternately, frame 22 may be non-pivotable orfixed, without affecting the scope of the present invention.

Video display screen 20 may comprise any type of video screen and isoperable to display images in response to an input or signal from acontrol or imaging system. For example, the video display screen maycomprise a multi-pixel liquid crystal display (LCD), preferably a thinfilm transistor multi-pixel liquid crystal display (such as discussedbelow), or the screen may comprise a multi-pixel organicelectroluminescent display or a multi-pixel light emitting diode (LED),such as an organic light emitting diode (OLED) or inorganic lightemitting diode display or the like, or a passive reflective and/orbacklit pixelated display, or an electroluminescent (EL) display, or avacuum fluorescent (VF) display or the like. For example, video displayscreen 20 may comprise a video screen of the types disclosed in U.S.Pat. Nos. 6,428,172; 6,420,975; and 6,690,268, and/or U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/585,379, filed Jun. 1, 2000 by Hutzel et al. forREARVIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLY WITH UTILITY FUNCTIONS; Ser. No. 10/207,291,filed Jul. 29, 2002 by Hutzel et al. for REARVIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLY WITHUTILITY FUNCTIONS; Ser. No. 10/307,929, filed Dec. 2, 2002 by Hutzel etal. for AN INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR SYSTEM INCLUDING A PENDENTACCESSORY, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,902,284; and/or Ser. No. 10/538,724,filed Jun. 13, 2005, and published Mar. 9, 2006 as U.S. Publication No.2006/0050018, and/or U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/732,245,filed Nov. 1, 2005, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.Optionally, the display screen device may provide a three dimensionalaspect to the information being displayed.

Video display screen device 18 may be in communication with or mayreceive an input or signal from a corresponding imaging sensor or cameraor imaging system and may display the image or images provided by theinput or signal on the video display screen 20. As shown in FIG. 11,video display screen device 18 or an imaging or vision system of thevehicle may include a control 30, which is in communication with videodisplay screen 20 via an electrical connector or wiring or cable 32,such as a ribbon cable, a coiled or spiral cord, a sliding electricalcontact or the like, which preferably is extendable and retractable orbendable or foldable or slidable to allow for extension and retractionof the video display screen relative to the control.

Control 30 is operable to control video display screen 20 in response toan input or signal, such as a signal received from one or more camerasor image sensors of the vehicle, such as a video camera or sensor, suchas a CMOS imaging array sensor, a CCD sensor or the like, such as thetypes disclosed in commonly assigned, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,550,677;5,760,962; 6,097,023; 5,877,897; and 5,796,094, and/or U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/534,632, filed May 11, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No.7,965,336; and/or U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/731,183,filed Oct. 28, 2005 by Gibson for CAMERA MODULE FOR VEHICLE VISIONSYSTEM, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference, or from oneor more imaging systems of the vehicle, such as a reverse or backup aidsystem, such as a rearwardly directed vehicle vision system utilizingprinciples disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,550,677; 5,760,962; 5,670,935;6,201,642; 6,396,397; 6,498,620; 6,717,610 and/or 6,757,109, which arehereby incorporated herein by reference, a trailer hitching aid or towcheck system, such as the type disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser.No. 10/418,486, filed Apr. 18, 2003 by McMahon et al. for VEHICLEIMAGING SYSTEM, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,005,974, which is herebyincorporated herein by reference, a cabin viewing or monitoring deviceor system, such as a baby viewing or rear seat viewing camera or deviceor system or the like, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,877,897and/or 6,690,268, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference, avideo communication device or system, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.6,690,268, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference, and/or thelike. The imaging sensor or camera may be activated and the displayscreen may be extended or deployed in response to the vehicle shiftinginto reverse, such that the display screen is viewable by the driver andis displaying an image of the rearward scene while the driver isreversing the vehicle.

Optionally, the rearward imaging system or backup aid may be operable inconjunction with or in combination with other rearward sensing devicesor systems, such as by utilizing the principles described in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/239,980, filed Sep. 30, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No.7,881,496, and/or U.S. provisional applications, Ser. No. 60/614,644,filed Sep. 30, 2004 by Camilleri et al, for CAMERA DISPLAY SYSTEM; Ser.No. 60/618,686, filed Oct. 14, 2004 by Laubinger for VEHICLE IMAGINGSYSTEM; and Ser. No. 60/628,709, filed Nov. 17, 2004 by Camilleri et al.for IMAGING AND DISPLAY SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE, which are herebyincorporated herein by reference. In such an application, distancesensing systems/elements, such as ultrasonic sensing elements or devices(such as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/239,980, filedSep. 30, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,881,496, already incorporated hereinby reference), may provide object sensing and distance sensingcapabilities and features to the imaging and display system, whereby thedisplay screen may display distance markers or may otherwise enhance oradjust the image display (such as via highlighting one or more regionsof the display or providing graphic overlays or the like, such asdescribed below) to alert the driver to an object detected rearward ofthe vehicle and/or in the path of the vehicle.

Optionally, the display screen and/or mirror may include user interfaceinputs, such as buttons or switches or touch or proximity sensors or thelike, with which a user may adjust one or more characteristics of theimaging sensor and/or imaging system, such as via the principlesdescribed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/239,980, filed Sep. 30,2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,881,496, and/or U.S. provisional applications,Ser. No. 60/614,644, filed Sep. 30, 2004 by Camilleri et al. for CAMERADISPLAY SYSTEM; Ser. No. 60/618,686, filed Oct. 14, 2004 by Laubingerfor VEHICLE IMAGING SYSTEM; and Ser. No. 60/628,709, filed Nov. 17, 2004by Camilleri et al. for IMAGING AND DISPLAY SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE, whichare hereby incorporated herein by reference. Optionally, the imagescaptured by the imaging sensor or camera may be processed by the controlto extract information or data for different applications or systems,such as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/239,980, filedSep. 30, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,881,496, and/or U.S. provisionalapplication Ser. No. 60/618,686, filed Oct. 14, 2004 by Laubinger forVEHICLE IMAGING SYSTEM, which are hereby incorporated herein byreference.

Optionally, the video display screen may also or otherwise serve as ascreen for a navigation system of the vehicle or the like, such as a GPSnavigation system, such as a known navigation system or such asnavigations systems of the types discussed below. The display screen maybe operable to display video images and/or may display icons,characters, letters, text or other indicia, and may provide a menudriven display and control for the navigation system or the like (asdiscussed below), without affecting the scope of the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 6-8, video display screen device 18 may include anadjustment mechanism or dial 34 to adjust the intensity or brightnessand/or contrast and/or appearance of the video display screen 20.Optionally, the intensity or brightness or contrast of the video displayscreen may be automatically adjusted in response to an ambient lightsensor or glare detector, such as a sensor of the display screen device,or of the interior rearview mirror assembly or vehicle or of a consoleor module or the like, such as the types disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.4,793,690 and/or 5,193,029, which are hereby incorporated herein byreference, without affecting the scope of the present invention. Inapplications where the display screen device is implemented with anelectro-optic or electrochromic mirror reflective element assembly, thedisplay screen device may be automatically adjusted in response to theambient light sensor or glare detector associated with the electro-opticor electrochromic circuitry or system. The display intensity of thedisplay screen may be adjusted in response to the photo sensor or lightsensor, and may be increased during daytime lighting conditions andreduced at dusk or during nighttime lighting conditions. The intensityand/or contrast and/or brightness of the display may be substantiallycontinuously adjusted or may be adjusted intermittently or in steps inresponse to the light sensor or sensors, such as by utilizing aspects ofthe displays described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,416,313 and 5,285,060, whichare hereby incorporated herein by reference, or may be adjusted when thedisplay screen is activated or extended.

Optionally, the display screen may include contrast enhancement oranti-glare coating or means, such as described in U.S. Pat. No.6,690,268, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. Forexample, the display screen may include polarization means or filters orcoatings, such as known in the art, to enhance visibility and/orviewability and/or discernibility of the display and displayedinformation/video images during high ambient light levels, such as maybe encountered on a sunny day. Optionally, the display screen mayinclude other anti-glare coating or other anti-glare means, withoutaffecting the scope of the present invention.

Desirably, the display screen emits light that is bright enough to bereadily viewable and discernible during high ambient lightingconditions, such as are typically encountered on a sunny day.Preferably, the display luminance (and especially for a TFT LCD displayelement showing video or full color video or still images) is greaterthan about 300 candelas per meters squared (cd/m²), more preferablygreater than about 500 cd/m², and more preferably greater than about 700cd/m². This is to help ensure that the driver can discern any videoimage being displayed against the sunlight streaming in through the rearwindow and incident at the display screen at the interior mirrorassembly that will tend to wash-out the video image unless the videoimage is sufficiently bright. Optionally, the display screen may utilizeaspects of the display element described in U.S. provisional applicationSer. No. 60/732,245, filed Nov. 1, 2005, which is hereby incorporatedherein by reference.

Because the video display screen 20 may be pulled or moved near or intothe driver's forward field of view (if the display screen extends towardthe driver's side of the vehicle), and thus may interfere with thedriver's forward vision, when the display screen is in the extendedposition, video display screen device 18 is preferably occasionallyextended and/or activated for viewing, and retracted to the non-useposition when not in use. Frame 22 and video display screen 20 may bemanually pulled to the extended, use position by the driver or occupantof the vehicle, and may be manually pushed back into the retracted,non-use position when the desired viewing is completed. The videodisplay screen and/or associated imaging device or system may beactuated in response to the frame and video display screen being movedto the extended position or may be actuated via one or more useractuatable controls or buttons or the like on the frame of the videodisplay screen device or elsewhere on the mirror assembly or vehicle, orin response to other types of activating events, such as discussedbelow.

Optionally, the frame and video display screen may be spring-loaded orbiased or spring actuated, whereby a spring or other biasing member mayfunction to bias or urge or assist the frame and screen toward theextended position (or retracted position if desired). In such anapplication, the spring or biasing member may be overcome by pushing theframe into the mirror casing to the non-use position, whereby a latchmechanism or the like may retain the frame in the non-use position. Theframe may then be pressed inward to release the latch and to allow thebiasing member or spring to move or urge or assist the frame and videodisplay screen to the extended position. Such spring and latchmechanisms are conventional and well known.

Optionally, and preferably, and as can be seen with reference to FIGS.12-18, the frame and the video display screen may extend toward thepassenger side of the vehicle. This avoids any potential intersection ofor hitting of or interference with the fully extended video display withthe inner surface of the vehicle windshield, which may occur when thedisplay screen extends toward the driver side of the vehicle due to theangle or canting of the mirror casing and reflective element toward thedriver for appropriate rearward viewing by the driver of the vehicle.Because the mirror assembly is typically angled or canted toward thedriver of the vehicle (such as at an angle of approximately twenty-twodegrees from a line parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle) toprovide the driver with the appropriate or desired rearward field ofview, it is desirable and preferable to have the video display screenslide outward toward the passenger side of the vehicle. The displayscreen thus may extend toward the passenger side of the mirror andlaterally therefrom in a motion, such as a sliding motion, that isparallel to the length axis of the reflective element. Because themirror assembly is angled toward the driver of the vehicle, thepassenger side video display screen may be readily viewable by thedriver of the vehicle when it is extended from the mirror assembly.Optionally, the passenger side video display screen may be pivotable(such as about a pivot axis or a ball joint or the like, as discussedbelow) relative to the mirror casing when it is fully extended tofurther angle the video display screen toward the driver to enhance theviewing of the video display screen.

Optionally, frame 22 and video display screen 20 may be extendedelectronically, such as via a driving device or mechanism (not shown),such as via a linear actuator, a solenoid device, a rack and piniondevice, an electrical drive motor or actuator, such as the typesdisclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,116,743 and/or 6,390,635, and PCTApplication No. PCT/US03/40611, filed Dec. 19, 2003, and published Jul.15, 2004 as International Publication No. WO 2004/058540 and/or U.S.patent application Ser. No. 10/538,724, filed Jun. 13, 2005, andpublished Mar. 9, 2006 as U.S. Publication No. 2006/0050018, which arehereby incorporated herein by reference, a non-armature electricalmotor, a shape memory alloy (SMA) device, a NanoMuscle™ device, anelectrically induced stress-strain device or actuator, a bio-materialand/or the like, such as discussed below. Preferably, the display screendevice or module and/or drive system or drive means is powered/actuatedunder microprocessor control.

For example, and as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, a video display screendevice or module or element 18′ may include a frame or carriage 22′ thatis extendable and retractable from a base portion 44. Base portion 44may be mountable inside a mirror housing or casing 12′, such thatextension and retraction of display screen frame 22′ relative to baseportion 44 causes extension and retraction of the frame 22′ and thedisplay screen (not shown in FIGS. 12 and 13) relative to mirror casing12′, as discussed above. Base portion 44 may be fixedly secured withinthe mirror assembly and may have upper and lower track or rack or railportions 45 a, which slidably engage corresponding upper and lower trackor rack or rail portions 45 b of frame 22′, such that frame 22′ mayslide or move along the track portions 45 a to extend and retractrelative to base portion 44. The track portions 45 a, 45 b function tomaintain alignment of the frame and display screen as it moves relativeto the base portion and to maintain proper alignment and engagement ofthe rack and pinion mechanism 46, discussed below.

Optionally, the display screen may include a cleaning or wiping orbrushing element at the opening at the side or end of the mirror casingfor engaging and cleaning the display screen (so as to remove dust ordirt or the like that may accumulate on the display screen) as thedisplay screen is extended and retracted relative to the mirror casing.Likewise, the racks or rails may also comprise self-cleaning typecomponents and/or self-lubricating type components to maintain cleancontacts and/or sustain low friction between the racks during use of thedisplay screen. Because the screen is contained within the mirror casingwhen not in use, dust and dirt typically may not accumulate on thescreen and other internal components of the display screen and movingmechanisms, such that such cleaning devices or mechanisms may not benecessary.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 12 and 13, video display screendevice 18′ includes a belt drive mechanism 47 that is operable to movethe frame 22′ relative to base portion 44 via a rack and pinionmechanism 46. Rack and pinion mechanism 46 includes a rod or member 24′extending from frame 22′ and generally along base portion 44. Rod 24′includes a plurality of notches or teeth 24 a′ for engagingcorresponding teeth 46 b of a sprocket or gear member or pinion 46 a.Pinion 46 a is rotatably mounted to base portion 44, such that rotationof pinion 46 a causes a corresponding translational movement of rod 24′relative to pinion 46 a and base portion 44.

Optionally, the pinion of the rack and pinion mechanism may engageanother gear or sprocket and may rotatably drive the other gear orsprocket, which in turn imparts a corresponding translational movementof the rod to linearly move the display screen relative to the mirrorcasing. The gear ratios of the sprocket or sprockets may be selected toprovide the desired driving torque and extension/retraction speed of thedisplay screen when the motor is activated. The rack and pinionmechanism 46 thus provides translational movement of frame 22′ as therod 24′ is moved or as pinion 46 a is rotated. The mechanism may includea guide 49 (FIG. 13) that engages the rack generally at or near thepinion and at an opposite side of the rack from the pinion, such thatthe guide functions to guide and maintain the rack in engagement withthe pinion during operation of the mechanism. The guide may comprise aroller or wheel that rolls along the rack as the rack is moved or maycomprise any other guiding means for guiding the rack and urging therack into engagement with the pinion. The rack may engage or attach tothe carriage of the display screen at one end, while its opposite orfree end may generally float at the other side of the pinion.

Optionally, the base portion 44 onto which the drive motor and pinion ismounted may comprise a carrier plate 44′ (FIG. 16), which may extend atleast partially along the rear surface of the reflective element. Thecarrier plate may include or attach to the ball receiving portion orsocket 48 of the mounting mechanism of the mirror assembly, and may alsoinclude or attach to the rail or rack portions 45 a′ along which theguides or tracks 45 b′ of the display screen module 18′ may be moved.The carrier plate 44′ may include one or more openings therethrough forplacement of a display device or element 50 at the rear of thereflective element for displaying information through the reflectiveelement of the mirror assembly, such as through an aperture or window 52(FIG. 15) formed in the reflective coating of the reflective element orvia a transflective display or the like. A circuit board 54 may beattached to the carrier plate 44′ to support the controls and/oraccessories and/or circuitry of the mirror assembly and/or displayscreen module.

The belt drive mechanism 47 includes a drive motor 47 a that is mountedto base portion or carrier plate 44, 44′ and that is operable torotatably drive a pulley 47 b, which in turn drives a belt or band 47 cto rotate a second pulley 47 d. Second pulley 47 d is mounted to orsecured to pinion 46 a, such that rotational driving by motor 47 acauses rotation of pinion 46 a, which in turn causes translationalmovement of rod 24′ and frame 22′ and the display screen relative tobase portion or carrier plate 44, 44′. The display screen device and/ormirror assembly may include or utilize mechanical movement means and/orsound dampening means to ensure quiet, preferably near silent or silent,extension/retraction of the display screen. Optionally, the drivemechanism may deliver a slight sound to provide the driver with acognizant awareness (in addition to the visible cue or prompt) of theextension/retraction of the display screen.

The rack and pinion elements or components may comprise variousmaterials, such as metallic or polymeric materials, Desirably, theselected material, such as acetal or the like, may provide aself-lubricating material with high wear or durability and low moistureabsorption characteristics. Desirably, the selected materials for therack and pinion components are dissimilar materials, with the interfacematerials including one harder material, such as a metal material, suchas brass or the like, or an engineering plastic, such as Nylon or thelike, and one softer material, such as a softer plastic, such as acetalor the like. In a preferred embodiment, the rack may comprise an acetalor glass filled Nylon material, while the pinion may comprise an acetalor brass or Nylon material. Other suitable materials may be used withoutaffecting the scope of the present invention.

The drive motor 47 a may comprise a rotary drive motor, such as, forexample, a five pole DC brush motor or the like. Preferably, the drivemotor includes an internal varistor or variable resistor to minimize EMCeffects and reduce brush noise and the like. The drive motor may furtherinclude DC motor circuitry topologies and interference suppressors, suchas those described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,229,226, which is herebyincorporated herein by reference.

The drive motor may be operable via a pulse width modulation (PWM) orthe like. Preferably, the drive motor is operable to provide a decayingpulse width modulation motor drive to reduce or control or smooth a hardstop (such as a mechanical stop or an electronic stop, such as asoftware controlled stop or the like) at either or both ends of thedisplay screen travel. For example, a control or PWM function maymodulate or adjust or slow the motor down as it approaches the end ofthe travel in either direction (such as at or near the fully extended orfully retracted positions or at or near any position therebetween wherethe display screen may be stopped). Optionally, the motor may beotherwise controlled, such as via software or ASICs or the like, or themotor may comprise a stepper motor or the like, to move the displayscreen and to preferably provide a smooth transition during starting andstopping of the movement of the display screen in either direction.Optionally, the drive motor may be operable via an analog drive circuitor the like, whereby the drive motor may operate to provide a decayingvoltage/current motor drive to reduce or control or smooth a hard stopat either or both ends of the display screen travel. Optionally, thedrive or motive system may incorporate a clutch mechanism to control orenhance or smooth the onset and/or stopping of the movement of thedisplay screen in either direction and/or to relieve or obviatestress/strain/damage on any gear drive or guide/track used should a userattempt to manually extend or retract the video display screen inopposition to the drive or motive system of the display screen device.

Optionally, the drive system or mirror assembly may include one or moremechanical stop elements to limit movement of the display screen ineither direction. For example, damping material or elements or means,such as elastomeric or rubber stops or the like, may be positioned at orin the mirror assembly to contact the carriage or body or other portionof the display screen to dampen the stopping of the display screen atthe extended and/or retracted positions. Other dampening or controlmeans may be implemented to control the movement of the display screenand to provide smooth extension and retraction of the display screen,without affecting the scope of the present invention. Such drivecontrols or software or damping means facilitate rapid movement of thedisplay screen, such as rapid extension of the display screen to theextended or partially extended position, while providing a substantiallysmooth stop at the end of the travel of the display screen.

For many applications, the driver may desire a more rapid extension ofthe display screen, such as when initially engaging the reverse gear.Thus, it is desired that the display screen reach the fully extendedposition, such as in preferably less than about 3.5 seconds, morepreferably less than about 2.5 seconds, and most preferably less thanabout 1.5 seconds. Optionally, extension of the display screen may bespring assisted (or otherwise mechanically assisted) so as to achievethe desired rapid extension. While it is also desirable to have rapidretraction of the display screen, the driver is often more tolerant of aslower retraction. Thus, mechanical and/or electrical assists or assistmeans may be incorporated that favor a faster extension rate or time tothe fully extended position over the rate or time of retraction to theretracted position. The drive motor thus may operate, as powered undermicroprocessor control, to quickly extend the display screen module toquickly move the display screen to a viewable orientation, but mayoperate to retract the display screen module at a different rate, suchas a slower rate, since it may not be as critical to quickly retract thedisplay screen module.

The drive motor thus may operate under microprocessor control to extendand retract the display screen module at a desired rate and with thedesired performance characteristics. The display screen module may besubstantially smoothly extended and retracted via the cooperation of themechanical driving mechanisms and the electronics and/or controls of thedrive motor. The drive motor may be selected to provide the desiredperformance characteristics, while performing at a low sound or noise(dB or dBA) level or desired sound or noise level or soundcharacteristic. Preferably, the audible level of the motor or drivemechanism (such as may be measured at a typical location of a driver'shead) is less than about 40 dBA (wherein dBA represents “decibelsadjusted”, which is a weighted absolute noise power or a weighting ofthe raw decibel level that most closely resembles the way the human earreceives and perceives sound levels); more preferably, the audible levelat or near the driver's head location is less than about 30 dBA, andmost preferably less than about 20 dBA. The dBA scale is a weightedaverage of the overall sound pressure, which is computed to most closelymatch the ability of the human ear to hear sound.

As can be seen in FIGS. 12, 13 and 16, the drive motor 47 a may besecured or fastened to the base portion or carrier plate 44, 44′ of themirror assembly, such as via threaded or mechanical fasteners or thelike. The drive motor is mounted to the base portion or carrier plateand may be spaced therefrom (such that the non-shaft side of the motormay not contact the carrier plate) to limit or reduce vibration of thecarrier plate and mirror assembly when the drive motor is activated.Optionally, a damping material, such as an elastomeric or rubberymaterial, such as a silicone or a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) may bedisposed at the drive motor to absorb or dampen vibration, or the motormay be mounted to the mirror assembly, such as by adhesion, such as byusing a double-sided adhesive coated TPE that has damping materials topassively limit or reduce or substantially preclude the mechanicaltransfer of structure borne vibration to the mirror assembly, or anactive damping system may be provided to counteract the vibrationfrequency or frequencies of the drive motor. Other damping means fordamping or canceling vibration of the motor may be implemented withoutaffecting the scope of the present invention. Optionally, anti-vibrationelements or means may be provided for the display screen and/or themirror reflective element so as to compensate for any propensity towardany mirror reflector vibration and/or display screen vibration that maybe due to the increased assembly mass and/or any change in the center ofgravity of the mirror assembly due to the extension of the displayscreen.

The frame or carriage and the video display screen thus may be extendedand retracted via belt drive mechanism 47 and rack and pinion mechanism46. The belt drive mechanism provides a smooth drive movement and mayprovide reduced noise to the drive mechanism. The belt drive system ormechanism may limit or substantially preclude motor stall situations inan interference condition by allowing the motor to rotate while slidingmotion of the display screen is halted. Also, the belt drive may providesofter start and stop conditions by reducing the shock of the gear meshwhen the motor is activated and deactivated, such as via a clutchmechanism or slip clutch or the like.

The drive mechanism or drive means preferably include an anti-stallfunctionality, element or means, which helps to reduce or obviatedamage, such as may occur due to motor burn out and/or motor/componentoverheating, such as due to a blockage or impediment impeding extensionor retraction of the display screen. Optionally, if such an impedimentoccurs, the display screen drive motor may automatically stop, and mayreverse the direction of travel of the display screen after a period oftime. For example, if the display screen encounters a blockage whileextending, the drive motor may reverse to retract the display screenafter a period of time at the blockage (such as after about one secondor thereabouts). Similarly, the drive motor may function to extend thedisplay screen if the display screen encounters blockage whileretracting into the mirror casing (which may protect against a person'sfinger getting pinched by the display screen as it retracts into themirror casing). Other anti-pinch elements or means may be provided, suchas elements at the casing or display screen, that may function to limitor substantially preclude the possibility of a person, such as a child,getting their finger caught or pinched by the display screen when it isretracted into the mirror casing.

The rack and pinion arrangement or mechanism may enable the powered ordriven mechanism to be manually overridden by pulling or pushing thedisplay screen in the desired direction (which may cause the belt toslip on the pulleys if the motor is not operating). Such a manualoverride may be desired to allow the display screen to be operatedwithout the electric drive in case of failure of the drive motor.Although shown and described as a rack and pinion type of drivemechanism, other drive mechanisms for providing linear translation ofthe display screen in response to activation of a drive motor may beimplemented without affecting the scope of the present invention. Forexample, the drive mechanism may comprise a worm gear drive mechanism, astepper motor drive mechanism, a linear actuator, a pneumatic drivemechanism, a shape memory alloy device or stress-strain actuator ordrive mechanism (such as a NanoMuscle™ actuator or drive mechanism suchas described below), or any other drive means or mechanism for linearlymoving the display screen relative to the mirror casing.

Optionally, the display screen may be movable along the rails or rackportions, and the rails or the screen module may include roller bearingsor ball bearings positioned therealong and in rolling engagement withthe other of the rails or screen module, in order to enhance movement orextension and retraction of the display screen relative to the mirrorcasing. For example, and as shown in FIG. 16, a strip of roller or ballbearings 56, such as linear bearings or ball bearings or needle bearingsor the like, may be positioned along the rails or racks 45 a′ and at theinterface of the rails 45 a′ and guides or tracks 45 b′ of the screendevice 18′. Such an arrangement may provide enhanced movement andreduced friction, and may be particularly beneficial in cold climateconditions, where the plastic on plastic interface may stick during suchcold temperatures. Also, the ball bearing configuration may function toaccommodate part to part tolerances and dimensional variations withinthe mirror assembly to provide enhanced movement of the display screen.Although shown as a pair of rails, the display screen and carriage maybe movable along a single rail or more than two rails, without affectingthe scope of the present invention.

Optionally, and alternately, for example, a conventional solenoid may beused for a drive motor, Preferably, however, and particularly forsubstantially silent operation, a shape memory alloy device orelectrically induced stress-strain actuator or the like may beimplemented, such as a NanoMuscle™ actuator, such as a 70 gram HighSpeed/High Efficiency Linear Actuator, a 125 gram High Speed/HighEfficiency Linear Actuator, or a 195 gram High Speed/High EfficiencyLinear Actuator, all of which are commercially available fromNanoMuscle, Inc. of Antioch, Cal. Such electrically inducedstress-strain linear actuators comprise a selection and/or combinationof metallic elements, typically bimetallic elements, such as bimetallicalloys, which may contract in response to electrical actuation and mayextend or return to their original state when the electrical actuationis removed. More particularly, such electrically induced stress-strainactuator, such as the NanoMuscle™ actuator or the like, contracts inresponse to one or more electrically resistive shape memory alloy wirescontracting as they are heated with application of a suitable voltage.Often such linear actuators may incorporate a spring or other biasingmember or return force device or mechanism to urge or assist theactuator to its original, non-contracted state when the electricalactuation is removed. The actuator may be mounted at the mirror assemblysuch that contraction of the actuator results in a correspondingretraction of the frame and video display screen to the retracted,non-use position or a corresponding extension of the frame and videodisplay screen to the extended, use position, depending on theapplication of the actuator. Other such contracting or extending devicesmay be implemented, and may comprise metallic or polymeric components,without affecting the scope of the present invention. Such shape memoryalloy devices thus provide substantially silent operation, since thereis substantially no parts or gears or the like moving relative to oneanother during operation. It is further envisioned that pivotal movementof the video display screen about a pivot axis or joint, as discussedabove, may be selectably electronically controlled via a rotationaldrive motor or the like, without affecting the scope of the presentinvention.

Optionally, the drive system may include sensors for sensing initialmovement of the video display screen in either direction, whereby thedrive motor may be actuated to move the display screen in response todetection of such initial movement. For example, a sensor may detect aninitial inward movement of the display screen, such that a small push ofthe extended display screen toward the mirror assembly may turn on theelectric drive which then may retract the display screen.

Optionally, the mirror assembly may include one or more limit switchesor position detection devices or sensors (such as a Hall effect sensoror an optical sensor or an electro-mechanical switch or the like) todetermine the position of the display screen relative to the fullyextended and/or fully retracted positions. For example, and withreference to FIGS. 17 and 18, the mirror assembly may include a firstlimit sensor or switch 58 a for detecting when the display screen isfully retracted and a second limit sensor or switch 58 b for detectingwhen the display screen is fully extended. In the illustratedembodiment, the limit sensors 58 a, 58 b are positioned at the circuitboard and/or base or carrier plate (not shown in FIGS. 17 and 18). FIGS.17 and 18 are shown with the circuit board and base and reflectiveelement and bezel of the mirror assembly removed to show additionaldetails, but the switches/sensors and motor and other drive elements andmechanisms may be attached to the base plate and/or circuit board andcontained within and between the bezel portion and the rear casing 12.

In the illustrated embodiment, the first limit sensor 58 a contacts orsenses an arm or extension or tab 59 a that extends from the rod or arm24′ so that the tab approaches or passes or contacts the limit sensorwhen the rod and the display screen are fully or substantially fullyretracted into the mirror casing (as shown in FIG. 18), and may open orclose a circuit when contacted or approached by the tab 59 so as toindicate to the drive control that the carriage and display screen arefully retracted. Likewise, the second limit sensor 58 b may detect theend of the rod 24′ or may contact or detect a stop or block or triggermember or element at the end of the rod (or at an end of one of therails or guide rods or tracks or guides) when the carriage and displayscreen are fully extended (as shown in FIG. 17), and may open or close acircuit when contacted or approached by the stop so as to indicate tothe drive control that the carriage and display screen are fullyextended. Optionally, the limit switches or sensors (or a single switchor sensor) may be positioned elsewhere within the mirror assembly andmay contact or detect the carriage or housing or casing or racks of thedisplay screen when the screen and carriage are fully extended from themirror casing and/or retracted into the mirror casing.

Other suitable position detection or determining devices may beimplemented without affecting the scope of the present invention. Forexample, an optical sensor or a LED transmitter and receiver pair maydetect holes or slots or extensions or teeth or notches or the likealong the rack or rail to determine the location of the carriage anddisplay screen when they are at the extended or retracted positionand/or at other positions or locations therebetween, a magnetic sensoror a linear potentiometer or a rotary potentiometer or rotary encoders(which may count pulses that correspond to the movement of the carriageand display screen) or armature pulse counting (which may count pulsesor spikes of the motor) or Hall effect sensors, or other snapdetector/limit switches, such as, for example, an ESE24 switchcommercially available from Panasonic of Tokyo, Japan, or the like, maybe operable to detect or determine the various positions or locations ofthe carriage or display screen relative to the mirror casing. Thesensors or detecting devices may detect the fully extended location andthe fully retracted location of the display screen relative to themirror casing, and may optionally detect one or more locationstherebetween.

Optionally, the control of the display screen or mirror assembly may beprotected against damage or wear due to motor stalling or the like, andmay deactivate or modulate or adjust or otherwise control the drivemotor if the display screen module does not extend the full amount, suchas if there is an interference or blocking condition that blocks orinhibits or restricts the extension of the display screen module (suchas may occur if a person's hand is in the way of the extending displayscreen or if the mirror is tilted or canted so that the display screenis extending toward the windshield of the vehicle or toward a visor ofthe vehicle). The motor may be deactivated in response to a period oftime elapsing before the display screen is detected at its fullyextended position, or in response to a change in the load on or currentdraw of the motor as the motor attempts to extend the display screenagainst the blocking object, or in response to a detection that thedisplay screen is not moving or slowly moving while the drive motor isactivated. The control and deactivation of the motor thus may limitdriving by the motor when the path of movement of the display screen isblocked or restricted. The control may further function to retract thedisplay screen when such blockage or interference is detected.

Optionally, the drive control may activate and/or deactivate the drivemotor to move the carriage and display screen in either direction inresponse to the detection or determination of the location of thedisplay screen relative to the mirror casing. For example, the controlmay monitor the position of the display screen relative to the mirrorcasing and may adjust the position if the position moves or drifts awayfrom the desired location. For example, the control may detect adrifting or movement of the display screen out from its retractedposition, and may actuate the drive motor to move the display screenback to its fully retracted position, in order to limit or substantiallypreclude extension or drifting of the video screen out from the mirrorcasing, such as due to vibration of the mirror assembly while thevehicle is operating, so that the display screen stays fully retractedwhen not in use. The control may also monitor the location of thedisplay screen when it is extended and may maintain the display screenin the desired extended (or partially extended) location when thedisplay screen is in use. The mirror control thus may monitor theposition of the display screen and, if it is in the retracted state andthe display screen begins to move out of position (due to vibration orthe like), the control brings the display screen back to the appropriateor initial or fully retracted position, and may do so in a manner thatis substantially unperceivable to the driver or occupant of the vehicle.The control may function in a similar manner when the display screen isin the extended or partially extended position.

Optionally, the control may be operable to extend the display screenpartially outward from the mirror casing, such that only a portion ofthe display screen is viewable by the driver of the vehicle. Forexample, the display screen may be extended partially outward to providean alert to the driver that information pertaining to a particularfeature or function or accessory of the mirror assembly or vehicle maybe viewable on the display screen. The driver may then elect to have thedisplay screen extend further outward for viewing the information, ifdesired. For example, the display screen may be extended partiallyoutward, such as when a navigation system is activated (as discussedbelow), to alert the driver that the vehicle is approaching a waypointor turn or the like of a navigational route or path. When partiallyextended, the display screen may be extended so that a portion of thevideo screen is viewable by the driver or so that only the outer portionof the frame or bezel of the display screen (which may include one ormore icons or indicators or the like to indicate the respective functionthat triggered the partial extension) is viewable by the driver. If thedriver is aware of the approaching waypoint, the driver may ignore thepartial extension of the display screen, and may continue on the desiredpath (and the display screen may retract after a period of time haselapsed or after the waypoint is reached). If the driver is unfamiliarwith the path, the driver may elect to have the display screen extendfurther (such as via a voice command or user input at the mirrorassembly or display screen or elsewhere in the vehicle, such as at thesteering wheel of the vehicle or the like) to view a map or drivinginstructions or the like that will clarify to the driver what drivingmaneuver is needed to stay on the desired course or route. The displayscreen may retract after a period of time or after the vehicle hasreached the waypoint and performed the appropriate maneuver. Optionally,the display screen may fully extend if the vehicle passes the waypointand strays from the entered route or path, and may then provideinstructions or maps to guide the vehicle back onto the desired route orpath.

Optionally, the display screen may be partially extended to alert thedriver of other conditions, such as driving conditions, vehicle statusconditions, accessory functionality or status, and the like, withoutaffecting the scope of the present invention. When partially extended,the screen may extend a small amount such that the outer frame portionof the display is viewable by the driver (and the outer frame portionmay include one or more indicators or displays for alerting the driveror informing the driver of the function associated with or triggeringthe partial extension of the display screen) or the screen may extendpartially outward such that a portion of the display screen is viewable,whereby the display may include a partial display or iconistic displayor the like to indicate what accessory or feature or status it ispartially extending in connection with, so as to provide an informativealert to the driver. Optionally, an audible message/alert and/or atactile/haptic alert may be generated in conjunction with the partialextension to notify the driver of the function.

The display screen thus may provide an alert function by extending outor partially extending out from the mirror casing to alert the driver ofwhen the display screen has information to display to the driver or whenthe display screen may provide a particular function or input or controlthat may be desired by the driver at that time, depending on variouscriteria and conditions, such as driving conditions, other user inputsor voice commands, activated accessories, status of various vehiclecomponents and accessories, and the like. The outer portion of the frameor bezel of the display screen module may include one or more inputsthereon (as discussed below), such that a user may access and actuatethe input or inputs (or the user may give a voice command to causefurther extension of the display screen for access to other inputs orfor viewing the entire video display screen) when the display screen isonly partially deployed or extended.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 14, the video display screenmodule 18′ comprises an LCD display screen or panel 60 and a backlightor illumination source 62 positioned behind the LCD screen 60 tobacklight the LCD screen and thus illuminate the display. The LCD screenor panel 60 may comprise a full color panel or a black and white ormonochrome display panel, depending on the particular application anddesired appearance of the display. The LCD panel 60 is back lit by theillumination source 62, which illuminates the LCD panel so that theimage displayed on the panel is backlit and thus readily viewable anddiscernible by the driver or occupant of the vehicle. Optionally, theLCD panel 60 may include a polarizer or film or coating or the like thatmay provide a desired angle of the light that passes through the LCDpanel, so as to direct the light in a desired direction, such asgenerally toward a head region of a typical driver of a vehicle.Although described as an LCD panel, other types of video display screenelements or devices may be implemented, without affecting the scope ofthe present invention. For example, the display panel may comprise alight emitting diode (LED) display, an organic light emitting diode(OLED) display, a color STN display or the like, or any other displaymeans that may operate to provide a color or monochromatic display atthe display screen when the display screen is at least partiallyextended from the mirror casing.

In the illustrated embodiment, the LCD display panel 60 is back lit bythe illumination source 62, which may comprise one or more white lightemitting diodes (LED) that illuminates or back lights the panel 60 via alight guide 64. The light guide 64 receives the light emitted by the LEDor LEDs (or other illumination sources, such as electroluminescentsources, CCFLs, organic light emitting diodes (OLED) or xenon lights,flat fluorescent tubes, incandescent light bulbs, such as miniatureincandescent bulbs or the like) and guides or directs the light towardthe LCD panel and through the LCD panel to enhance the brightness of thedisplay screen for viewing by the driver or occupant of the vehicle. Thelight guide 64 may include a coating or film 65, such as a brightnessenhancing film or the like, thereon to enhance and/or direct the lightemanating from the light guide. The brightness enhancing film, which maycomprise a plastic sheet with prismatic or optic features molded orextruded or otherwise formed thereon, may correct and redirect lighttoward the LCD panel to increase or enhance the on-axis brightness ofthe light and thus of the display as viewed by the driver or occupant ofthe vehicle. Optionally, the display screen may utilize aspects ofaspects of the polarizing element described in U.S. provisionalapplication Ser. No. 60/732,245, filed Nov. 1, 2005 by Weller forINTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLY WITH DISPLAY, which is herebyincorporated herein by reference.

Because the display screen may be operable in conjunction with arearward facing imaging system or back up aid, it is desirable that thedisplay screen be operable within a short period of time after vehiclestart up, since a driver may start the vehicle engine and quickly shiftto reverse to back up. When the vehicle is shifted into reverse, thedisplay screen may extend and the imaging sensor and display screen mayoperate to capture and display images of the exterior scene rearward ofthe vehicle. Preferably, the fluid or liquid of the LCD panel isselected to provide an enhanced or extended temperature operating rangethat may provide sufficient performance at lower (and higher)temperature levels. However, in extreme or substantially lowtemperatures (such as may be encountered during the winter months insome northern states of the U.S.), it may desirable to preheat orrapidly heat the liquid or fluid of the LCD panel (or to heat thedisplay medium of other types of displays, such as electro-opticdisplays and electro-optical media and the like) to provide enhancedperformance of the display screen when it is activated. The mirrorassembly and/or display screen thus may include an auxiliary heatingdevice or element or system that may be actuated to initially heat theliquid or fluid of the LCD display panel (or to heat the display mediumof other types of displays, such as electro-optic displays andelectro-optical media and the like) to enhance the performance of thedisplay screen upon initial start up of the display in cold temperatureconditions. For example, a driver may start his or her vehicle after thevehicle has been parked in a sub-zero climate (such as in northern Minn.in the middle of winter). Such a driver may wish to immediately reversethe vehicle once the engine starts, and so the driver will not welcomehaving a video display screen with reduced or inoperable clarity due tothe electro-optic medium of the video display screen being below itseffective operating temperature. Thus, the quick heat up elements andmeans of the present invention enable a rapid heating of theelectro-optic medium during those critical initial seconds of vehicleoperation, so that the driver does not have to wait to fully realize thebenefits of the camera based reversing system.

For example, and as shown in FIG. 14, the display screen module 18′ mayinclude a heater or heating element or device 66 for heating theelectro-optic medium of the display screen (such as the liquid or fluidof the LCD display panel 60), such as during cold temperatureconditions. In the illustrated embodiment, the heating device 66comprises a thin glass sheet or substrate with a substantiallytransparent conductive coating on a surface thereof. The conductivecoating may comprise any substantially transparent conductive orsemi-conductive coating or layer, such as an indium tin oxide (ITO)coating or tin oxide or doped tin oxide or zinc oxide or doped zincoxide coating or the like, and such as coatings of the types describedin U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,690,268; 5,668,663 and 5,724,187, and/or in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 10/054,633, filed Jan. 22, 2002 by Lynam etal. for VEHICULAR LIGHTING SYSTEM, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,195,381; Ser. No.11/021,065, filed Dec. 23, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,255,451; Ser. No.10/528,269, filed Mar. 17, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,274,501; and/orSer. No. 10/533,762, filed May 4, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,184,190,and/or in PCT Application No. PCT/US03/29776, filed Sep. 19, 2003 byMcCabe et al. for MIRROR REFLECTIVE ELEMENT ASSEMBLY, and published Apr.1, 2004 as International Publication No. WO 2004/026633, and/or in PCTApplication No. PCT/US03/35381, filed Nov. 5, 2003 by Donnelly Corp. etal. for ELECTRO-OPTIC REFLECTIVE ELEMENT ASSEMBLY, and published May 21,2004 as International Publication No. WO 2004/042457, and/or in U.S.provisional applications, Ser. No. 60/563,342, filed Apr. 19, 2004 byBareman et al. for METHOD OF MANUFACTURING ELECTRO-OPTIC MIRROR CELL;Ser. No. 60/644,903, filed Jan. 19, 2005; and/or Ser. No. 60/667,049,filed Mar. 31, 2005, which are all hereby incorporated herein byreference. The coating may be electrically connected to a heatingactuator, whereby actuation of the heater causes a current to be appliedto the conductive coating to heat the conductive coating. Thetransparent conductor coated glass (or polycarbonate or other suitablematerial) substrate of heating device 66 (such as a thin glass orpolycarbonate sheet or substrate having a thickness of approximately 0.5mm to about 1 mm or thereabouts, such as a thickness of about 0.7 mm orthereabouts) may be positioned between the light guide 64 and the LCDpanel 60, and may be spaced from the light guide and the LCD panel (suchas about 0.5 mm or thereabouts from each), so as to accommodate flexingor bowing of the thin substrate as it heats or cools, without contactingthe light guide or the LCD panel.

The heating device may be activated to heat or preheat the electro-opticmedium of the video display screen in response to a triggering event orsignal or combination of triggering events or signals, for example,after determining that the vehicle ignition has just been switched onand the temperature at the mirror assembly is sub-zero (or below athreshold temperature). Typically, once time passes after the initialstartup of the vehicle, the interior heater of the cabin raises theoverall cabin temperature and so the need for such heat activation orover-activation is reduced or eliminated. For example, the heater may beactivated in response to a low temperature (such as at or below atemperature threshold) being detected by a temperature sensor at thevehicle or at the mirror assembly or display screen and in response toactivation of the vehicle ignition. Optionally, in order to provide anearlier start up of the heating process, the heater may be activated inresponse to the low temperature threshold and a signal from a remotekeyless entry device or remote starter or the like, or in response to adetection of the driver (such as via detection of a remote device withthe driver) at or near the vehicle, or in response to an opening orunlocking of a door of the vehicle. The signal that “wales up” oractivates the mirror and/or heater may be a wireless signal (such as anRF or microwave or IR signal or the like), or may be communicated via ahard wire input or a multiplexed bus message.

The heater thus may be activated to heat the electro-optic medium of thedisplay screen to provide enhanced performance of the display screen insuch cold temperature conditions. For example, a control may activatethe heater upon ignition of the vehicle if a thermistor (or othersuitable temperature sensing element or means) at the display screenindicates that the temperature is below a threshold temperature, such asabout zero degrees Celsius, and may deactivate the heater at a slightlyhigher temperature incorporating hysteresis. The heater could be turnedon sooner and before the ignition on condition, such as in response to aremote keyless entry signal, a detection of a vehicle door opening, aremote starter, or the like.

Although shown and described as a substantially transparent substratewith a substantially transparent conductive coating disposed thereon,the heater or heating device for the display screen may comprise otherforms or types of heating elements or devices, and optionally mayincorporate such other forms or types of heating elements separately orin combination with the heating device discussed above and/or otherheating elements, without affecting the scope of the present invention.For example, the control may activate the illumination source of thebacklight to increase the temperature at the LCD panel quicker.Optionally, the heating device may comprise a plurality of thin (andpreferably partially transparent or translucent) conductive elements orwires or conductors laminated between two layers of thin, substantiallytransparent film, and adhered to the back surface of the LCD panel, orother heating elements or the like may be located at the rear of the LCDpanel to generate heat at the panel, while also being substantiallytransparent to allow light emanating from the light guide to passtherethrough and through the LCD panel.

Optionally, the heating device may comprise IR emitting LEDs or otherradiation sources or light sources that may emit radiation in the farinfrared region (such as up to about 10 microns or thereabouts), andthus may radioactively couple into and thus heat the rear glasssubstrate of the LCD display screen construction. Optionally, the LEDsor illumination/radiation sources may provide radiation at a particularwavelength (or range of wavelengths) or spectral content, so that theradiation is absorbed by the glass and/or the electro-optic medium so asto provide radioactive coupling with and/or heat to the glass and/orelectro-optic medium of the display screen.

Optionally, the heating device may comprise one or more infrared lightemitting diodes or heating LEDs or the like positioned in the mirrorcasing, such as at the carrier plate or the like, and operable to directenergy or radiation toward the display screen when the display screen isin its retracted position within the mirror casing, in order toinitially heat the electro-optic medium of the video display before thedisplay screen is extended from the mirror casing. Optionally, thedisplay screen may be initially overdriven or overpowered electronicallyto initially generate additional heat at the display, and then may bebacked down or reduced after a predetermined period of time to itsnormal operating levels. However, such a heating system is not preferreddue to the potential wear on the display screen and potential shortenedlife cycle of the display screen that may result from such overpoweringof the display screen.

Because LEDs have a reduced performance at higher temperatures, thethermistor may detect the temperature at the display screen and/orillumination source and generate an output signal to indicate adetection of a higher temperature, such as above a thresholdtemperature. The microprocessor or control then may reduce the currentat the LEDs (to extend the life of the LEDs) of the illumination sourcein response to such an output signal from the thermistor.

As shown in FIG. 14, the LCD panel 60, heating device 66, illuminationsource 62 and light guide 64 may be mounted at a circuit board 68, suchas a printed circuit board or the like, and may be contained generallyin an enclosure or housing or casing 70 of the display screen module.The enclosure 70 may comprise a metallic enclosure and may be groundedto reduce EMC effects and the like. The entire assembly, including thedisplay elements and the circuit board and circuitry and enclosure, maybe housed or contained generally within a plastic housing 72, which mayinclude a rear portion or housing 72 a and a frame portion or bezelportion 72 b that may overlap the front or viewable surface of the LCDpanel and generally frame the LCD display for viewing. The frame portionor bezel portion of the display casing or housing may include userinputs, such as buttons or switches or touch sensors or proximitysensors or the like at or around the LCD display for adjusting orcontrolling various features or functions or accessories, as discussedbelow.

Optionally, the display screen housing 72 may be adjustably mounted tothe carriage or the carriage may include an adjustment joint or pivotjoint or the like, such that the display screen may be pivoted about agenerally vertical axis when fully extended from the mirror casing. Thedisplay thus may be angled or canted toward the driver of the vehicle orelsewhere if desired. Optionally, the pivot joint may comprise a balljoint or the like, which may allow for pivotal movement of the displayscreen about multiple axes, such as about a generally horizontal axisthat extends generally along the mirror assembly (such as a ball jointsimilar to ball joints or pivot joints used to facilitate rotation andadjustment of LCD viewfinder screens common in many personal or handheld video cameras). The display screen thus may be substantiallyadjustable to provide a desired viewing angle for the screen.Optionally, and as shown in FIG. 14, the display screen rear housing 72a may include a reflector or mirror 74 thereon or therein, and thedisplay screen may be pivoted about the ball joint about 180 degrees sothat the reflector is directed generally rearwardly and into the cabinof the vehicle. Such an arrangement may provide a rear seat or rearcabin reflector or monitor in front of and generally in the forwardfield of view of the driver or occupant of the vehicle for viewing (bythe driver or occupant of the vehicle) of the rear seat or rear cabin ofthe vehicle, such as for use as a baby monitor or cabin monitor or thelike for viewing a baby in the rear seat of the vehicle.

Optionally, and as shown in FIG. 15, the frame 72 b around the displayscreen panel 60 may include user interface inputs 76, such as buttons,switches, touch sensors, proximity sensors and/or the like, to provide auser input at the display when the display screen is extended or atleast partially extended. The inputs may function to control or adjustthe display screen, such as brightness, contrast or other appearance orcharacteristics of the displayed image, or may cause full extension orretraction of the display screen, or may control or adjust otheraccessories or features of the mirror assembly and/or vehicle. Theinputs may include icons or other indicia or the like to indicate thefunction of the inputs, or the display may display the related functionof the inputs at an area near the respective input, as discussed below.Optionally, the display screen may provide a touch screen LCD (such asthe types described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,001,486; 6,310,611; 6,320,282;and 6,627,918, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/817,874, filedMar. 26, 2001 by Quist et al. for INTERACTIVE AUTOMOTIVE REARVISIONSYSTEM, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,224,324; Ser. No. 10/798,171, filed Mar. 11,2004; Ser. No. 10/710,164, filed Jun. 23, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No.7,165,323; and/or Ser. No. 11/218,374, filed Sep. 2, 2005, now U.S. Pat.No. 7,507,438; and/or U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/685,051,filed May 26, 2005, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference)and a user may touch the desired part of the screen to actuate thedesired function or feature or control. Optionally, the display screenmay display a menu and a user may toggle through the menu via the userinputs and may select the desired feature or accessory or function orthe like from the menu shown on the display.

The display screen module may include the circuitry for driving the LCDscreen and an LCD decoder board and other circuitry, all of which may bemovable with the module between the extended and retracted positions.The controls and circuitry associated with the imaging sensor or camerathat captures the images displayed on the display screen may bepositioned within the mirror assembly, or may be positioned within thedisplay screen module or within an accessory module or windshieldelectronics module or accessory console or the like, without affectingthe scope of the present invention. The control may determine when anactivating event or triggering event or signal occurs, and may activateor control the imaging sensor and/or the drive motor and/or the displayscreen accordingly, as discussed below.

As shown in FIGS. 16-18, the circuitry of the display screen module maybe electrically connected to circuitry of the mirror assembly via anelectrical conductor or cable 78, such as a multi-wire ribbon cable orflex strip or coiled or spiral or accordion cable or conductor or thelike. The cable 78 may comprise a substantially flat ribbon or strip tofacilitate flexing or bending of the cable to generally fold over itselfas the display screen module is retracted, so that the cable allows forextension and retraction of the display screen module without excessivestress or strain occurring to the electrical cable. The cable may beconnected to the display screen module and/or circuitry at the mirrorassembly via any connecting mechanism or connector or connecting means,such as a zero insertion force (ZIF) connector or the like. Preferably,the flex strip or cable is connected to the decoder board and circuitryof the display screen module via a single axis positive lockingconnector on the display screen module. Preferably, in order to reduceEMC effects, the flex strip may be shielded and may include multipleground wires or connectors. For example, the flex strip may includeabout 50 conductors or traces, with about 25 of them (every other trace)being connected to ground terminals.

Optionally, however, other wiring or connection means for electricallyconnecting the controls/circuitry to the display screen module, such assingle grounded willing schemes or differential ended wiring schemes orother transmission means, may be implemented without affecting the scopeof the present invention. The circuitry and/or electrical connectionsmay include various elements to reduce EMC effects, such as decouplingcapacitors, bypass capacitors, feed through capacitors, ferrite beads,inductors, common mode chokes and/or the like. Optionally, the mirrorassembly and/or display screen module may include grounded metalenclosures around the motor and/or microprocessors and/or the videodisplay screen, in order to reduce EMC effects.

The video display screen electronic controls may be operable to controlvarious characteristics of the display screen to enhance or adjust ormodulate the displayed image. Optionally, the brightness, contrast, tintand color of the image may be controlled by fixed settings on the LCDdecoder board, or they may be dynamically controlled via various userinterfaces or inputs, such as analog signals (such as potentiometersignals or the like) or digital signals (such as digital potentiometersignals, PWM signals, serial communications, such as SCI/SPI or thelike). Optionally, a dimming input may also be implemented to controlthe LCD backlight intensity level. For example, the dimming input may behard wired to a sensor or the like (such as to the photo sensor orsensors of the electro-optic reflective element of the mirror assemblyor to a photo sensor of the vehicle or to an instrument panel dimmingcontrol at the instrument panel or dashboard of the vehicle or the like)or may be in communication with a multiplexed bus system or the like, toprovide manual or automatic dimming control of the backlight of thedisplay screen. Optionally, the display screen intensity, contrast, tintand the like may be manually adjusted via a user interface at thedisplay screen, such as one or more dials or buttons or switches orsensors or the like at the display screen.

Optionally, the video display screen may include graphical overlaycapability, where the display control may graphically overlayinformation or icons or indicia or markers or the like over thedisplayed image, such as to show a distance to a detected object for abackup imaging system or the like. The graphic overlays may be providedat the display screen by incorporating an on-screen display (OSD)controller, such as a 82750 DB OSD controller commercially availablefrom Intel Corp. of Santa Clara, Calif., or a field programmable gatearray (FPGA) or the like, into the display screen controls to providegraphic overlays and a more custom application for the video displayscreen and interior rearview mirror assembly.

Optionally, the control or circuitry of the display screen module and/ormirror assembly may include efficient high side switches, such as aswitch from the BSP family of switches commercially available fromInfineon, to control the power to the LCD decoder, LCD backlight, LCDheater and imaging sensor. Such switches may be activated anddeactivated by the controls to achieve the desired functionality of theimaging and display system. Such switches may also protect against faultconditions.

During operation, the display screen module may extend or partiallyextend to display information to the driver or occupant of the vehicle.However, if the controls or circuitry detect a fault condition with theimaging sensor or display screen or drive motor or the like, the controlmay activate a user interface fault condition to alert the driver oroccupant of a detected fault condition. For example, if a faultcondition is detected, the backlight illumination source may bemodulated or flashed (such as at a rate of about one Hz or thereabouts),or a fault condition alert may be displayed on the display screen (suchas via the on-screen display controller or other display screen controlor the like), in order to indicate the fault condition to the user. Ifthe backlight is already on, the backlight may modulate from a normalintensity to a brighter intensity. The backlight may be modulated at adifferent rate or different intensities to indicate different detectedfault conditions.

For example, when the ignition is turned on, the control may check ifthe display screen is in its retracted position and, if the displayscreen is not retracted, the control may attempt to retract the displayscreen. If the control does not successfully retract the display screenafter a predetermined period of time (such as about two seconds orthereabouts), a fault signal may be generated and the control maymodulate the display screen or may otherwise indicate the faultcondition.

Similar criterion may be used when the display screen is retracted andextended in response to the reverse/back up signal. For example, when areverse backup signal is received (such as a signal indicative of thevehicle being shifted into reverse), the control may activate theimaging sensor or camera at the rear of the vehicle. If a valid imagedata signal (such as a valid NSTC signal or the like depending on theparticular application) is not detected after a predetermined period oftime following activation of the camera (such as about 200 ms orthereabouts), a fault signal may be generated and the control maymodulate the display screen or may otherwise indicate the faultcondition. The control may generate the fault signals after thepredetermined period of time has elapsed. The time period may be apreset time period or may be programmed or changed depending on theparticular application. Once a default condition is detected, the usermay turn off the ignition to reset or clear the fault condition.

Optionally, the mirror or display screen control may be in communication(such as via a wireless communication link, such as via RF or microwaveor IR wireless transmission, or via a wired connection, such as amultiwire cable or a LIN bus cable or the like) with a vehicle faultdetection or diagnostic system, such as via a multiplex bus system ofthe vehicle or the like. When the diagnostic system detects a faultcondition of an accessory or system of the vehicle, the control mayindicate the fault condition at the display screen. For example, thecontrol may partially or fully extend the display screen module toindicate and/or display a fault condition alert to the driver orpassenger of the vehicle. Optionally, the display screen may furtherdisplay instructions as to how to correct the fault or instructions togo to the nearest service station or the like, in response to the faultcondition. For example, the control may partially extend the displayscreen to indicate the fault condition, and if desired, a user may electto fully extend the display screen (such as in response to a userinterface or input at the mirror assembly and/or display screen or inresponse to a voice command or the like) to view the additionalinformation or instructions. Optionally, the display screen may displayrelevant portions of the owner's manual to show the faulty componentand/or system and to provide instructions as to how to correct the faultcondition, such as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/964,512, filed Oct. 13, 2004 by Schofield et al. for VEHICLECOMMUNICATION SYSTEM, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,308,341, which is herebyincorporated herein by reference. Optionally, the control or circuitryof the video display and/or mirror assembly may be in communication witha remote or external control or base or center of a telematic system(such as found in various vehicles or the like, and/or such as describedin U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,862,594; 4,937,945; 5,131,154; 5,255,442; 5,632,092;5,798,688; 5,971,552; 5,924,212; 6,243,003; 6,278,377; and 6,420,975;6,477,464; and/or 6,678,614; and/or U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/456,599, filed Jun. 6, 2003 by Weller et al. for INTERIOR REARVIEWMIRROR SYSTEM WITH COMPASS, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,004,593; Ser. No.10/645,762, filed Aug. 20, 2003 by Taylor et al. for VEHICLE NAVIGATIONSYSTEM FOR USE WITH A TELEMATICS SYSTEM, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,167,796;Ser. No. 10/538,724, filed Jun. 13, 2005, and published Mar. 9, 2006 asU.S. Publication No. 2006/0050018; and Ser. No. 10/422,378, filed Apr.24, 2003 by Schofield for IMAGING SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE, now U.S. Pat. No.6,946,978; and/or PCT Application No. PCT/US03/40611, filed Dec. 19,2003 by Donnelly Corporation et al. for ACCESSORY SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE,and published Jul. 15, 2004 as International Publication No. WO2004/058540, and/or PCT Application No. PCT/US03/308877, filed Oct. 1,2003 by Donnelly Corp. for MICROPHONE SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE, and publishedApr. 15, 2004 as International Publication No. WO 2004/032568, which areall hereby incorporated herein by reference.), such as ONSTAR®,TELEAID™, RESCU® or the like, and the control may display variousinformation or alerts or the like in response to a communication fromthe remote telematic center, such as via utilizing the principlesdescribed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/964,512, filed Oct. 13,2004 by Schofield et al. for VEHICLE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM, now U.S. Pat.No. 7,308,341; and/or Ser. No. 11/232,324, filed Sep. 21, 2005 byO'Brien et al. for TIRE PRESSURE ALERT SYSTEM, now U.S. Pat. No.7,423,522; and/or U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/611,796,filed Sep. 21, 2004 by O'Brien for TIRE PRESSURE ALERT SYSTEM, which arehereby incorporated herein by reference.

Optionally, in order to ensure proper performance of the display screen,drive motor and other components of the mirror assembly and the displayscreen module, the control may monitor the ignition voltage of thevehicle, and may shutdown some or all of the video display functions andcontrols to protect the video mirror sub-components if the voltage isdetected to be at or over a threshold level, such as 16 volts DC orthereabouts.

The control of the mirror assembly and/or the display screen may receiveimage data or the like from an imaging sensor or camera positionedelsewhere at or on or in the vehicle, such as at a rearward portion ofthe vehicle with a rearward exterior field of view, or such as at aninterior portion (such as at or near or associated with the interiorrearview mirror assembly or an accessory module or windshieldelectronics module or the like) of the vehicle with an interior field ofview (such as into the vehicle cabin) or an exterior field of view (suchas forwardly of and through the windshield of the vehicle). The signalfrom the camera or image data may be communicated to the control viavarious communication links or video transmission medium, such as wiresor cables (such as a CAT-3 shielded twisted pair wire or a CAT-5 coaxialcable or the like) or a fiber optic cable or via wireless communication,such as IR signals or VHF or UHF signals or the like, or via a multiplexbus system of the vehicle or the like. For example, the connection orlink between the imaging sensor or controls and the mirror assemblyand/or display screen module may be provided via vehicle electronic orcommunication systems and the like, and may be connected via variousprotocols or nodes, such as Bluetooth™, SCP, UBP, J1850, CAN J2284, FireWire 1394, MOST, LIN, FlexRay™, Byte Flight and/or the like, or othervehicle-based or in-vehicle communication links or systems (such as WIFIand/or IRDA), or via wireless communications such as VHF or UHF signals,and/or the like, depending on the particular application of themirror/display system and the vehicle.

The imaging sensor or camera may provide various image data signals,such as an NTSC signal or LVDS, PAL, analog RGB, component video, SECAM,S-video or the like. Optionally, the imaging system may be operable toselectively switch between, for example, PAL and NTSC, to adjust theimaging system and mirror/display system to accommodate European andU.S. applications.

The sliding or pivotal or other movement of the frame and display screenthus may selectively occur in response to a manual or user input, suchas actuation of a user interface control or button (not shown) at theinterior rearview mirror assembly or a voice command or input, or thedisplay screen may extend automatically, such as in response to anotheractivating event or triggering event or other dynamic event or events.For example, the display screen may be automatically extended andactivated in response to an engagement of the reverse gear of thevehicle or actuation of a backup aid or other reverse viewing system,such as a reverse viewing system utilizing principles disclosed in U.S.Pat. Nos. 5,550,677; 5,760,962; 5,670,935; 6,201,642; 6,396,397;6,498,620; 6,717,610; and/or 6,757,109, and/or U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 10/418,486, filed Apr. 18, 2003 by McMahon et al. for VEHICLEIMAGING SYSTEM, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,005,974, which are herebyincorporated herein by reference, actuation of a cabin viewing device orsystem, such as a baby viewing or rear seat viewing device or system orthe like, such as the types disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,877,897 and/or6,690,268, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference, actuationof a video communication device or system, such as a video communicationdevice of the types disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,690,268, which ishereby incorporated herein by reference, actuation of other telephone orcommunication systems (where the display screen may extend to displaytelephone numbers or recently called numbers or other information or thelike), actuation of a navigation system of the vehicle, such as anavigation system of the types described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,477,464, andU.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/456,599, filed Jun. 6, 2003 byWeller et al. for INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR SYSTEM WITH COMPASS, now U.S.Pat. No. 7,004,593; Ser. No. 10/287,178, filed Nov. 4, 2002 by McCarthyet al. for NAVIGATION SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,678,614;Ser. No. 10/645,762, filed Aug. 20, 2003 by Taylor et al. for VEHICLENAVIGATION SYSTEM FOR USE WITH A TELEMATICS SYSTEM, now U.S. Pat. No.7,167,796; and Ser. No. 10/422,378, filed Apr. 24, 2003, now U.S. Pat.No. 6,946,978, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference, andsuch as discussed below, a vehicle system or device status or warningsystem (where the display screen may be automatically extended todisplay a warning or alert to the driver in response to a conditionbeing detected, such as the driver's seatbelt being unfastened (andoptionally with the vehicle being in gear or moving or the like), a highoil temperature or pressure, a low tire pressure (such as in response toa tire pressure management system (TPMS), such as the types described inU.S. Pat. Nos. 6,294,989; 6,445,287; and/or 6,472,979, and/or in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 10/232,122, filed Aug. 30, 2002, now U.S.Pat. No. 6,975,215; Ser. No. 10/279,059, filed Oct. 23, 2002, now U.S.Pat. No. 6,774,774; and Ser. No. 11/232,324, filed Sep. 21, 2005 byO'Brien et al. for TIRE PRESSURE ALERT SYSTEM, now U.S. Pat. No.7,423,522; and/or U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/611,796,filed Sep. 21, 2004 by O'Brien for TIRE PRESSURE ALERT SYSTEM, which arehereby incorporated herein by reference), a low fuel level and/or thelike), or any other activating event or triggering event or condition ordetection or dynamic event and/or the like, without affecting the scopeof the present invention.

The outward movement or extension of the display screen not onlyprovides the display of information at a position that is readilyviewable by the driver of the vehicle, but the outward movement of thedisplay screen also provides a visual cue or prompt, and optionally anaudible sound associatable with a sliding motion, to catch the driver'sattention and reinforce viewing of the display screen so that the drivercan readily view the information being displayed at the display screen.Similarly, the video display screen may be automatically retracted tothe non-use position in response to a manual or user input, or inresponse to completion of or curing of the activating or triggeringevent or deactivation of the system or device associated with theactivating or triggering event, such as shifting of the vehicle out ofreverse, deactivation of a rearward viewing device or system,deactivation of a cabin viewing device or system, deactivation of avideo communication device or system or disconnection of the telephoneconnection or conversation, deactivation of a navigation system of thevehicle or arrival at a particular waypoint or destination (as discussedbelow), or a correction or curing of the system condition, such asfastening of the seatbelt, and/or the like.

The display screen may be manually moved to its retracted position whenthe driver no longer wants to view the screen, even if the activatingevent has not yet completed. This allows the driver to override theautomatic extension and retraction, such as when the driver no longerwants to view the information relating to the activating event, withoutdisturbing or adversely affecting the automatic extension controls andcomponents. For example, if the driver chooses to ignore a warning thatthe tire pressure is low (or other warning or information display or thelike), the driver may manually move the display screen to its retractedposition. The manual movement may be accomplished via pushing thedisplay screen into the mirror assembly, or pressing or actuating a userinput or button or the like to cause the retraction of the displayscreen, or providing a voice command to the system to cause theretraction/override of the display screen device. Optionally, the drivesystem of the display screen device may include sensors for sensinginitial movement of the display screen in either direction, whereby thedrive motor or the like may be actuated to move the display screen inresponse to detection of such initial movement. For example, a sensormay detect an initial inward or outward movement of the display screen,such that a small push or pull of the display screen may activate theelectronic drive motor or system which then retracts or extends thedisplay screen.

Optionally, the display screen may be manually extended by the driver oroccupant of the vehicle even if a dynamic or activating or triggeringevent has not occurred. The driver may then select a desired function ofthe display screen when it is extended. Optionally, the display screenmay display a menu for the driver to select from when the display screenis extended manually. The menu or menus may be in the form of textdisplays, graphic displays, video displays, iconistic displays, indiciadisplays and/or the like. The driver may then select from the menu bytouching or actuating a user input or by providing a voice command orthe like to cause the display screen to display information or video orthe like pertaining to the selected function or system or accessory. Forexample, the driver may cause the display screen to display the rearvision system video or images even though the vehicle is not in reverseby manually extending the display screen and manually selecting the rearimage display function. The manual extension and activation may beaccomplished by manually pulling or moving the display screen or byactuating a user input or by providing a voice command (such as “open”or “extend”) or the like.

The video display screen thus may be operable to automatically ormanually extend to display information or video pertaining to a selectedor triggering event or function. For example, video display screen 20may be in communication with a camera or imaging sensor or systemoperable to capture images of an area rearward of the vehicle. Videodisplay screen 20 may then be extended in response to engagement of thereverse gear of the vehicle or activation of the rearward viewing deviceor system, where the video display screen 20 may be operable to displayimages representative of the scene and events occurring rearward of thevehicle, such that the driver may view the video display screen as thevehicle is reversed. When the vehicle is shifted out of reverse, thevideo display screen may be automatically retracted to its non-useposition. As discussed above, frame 22 and video display screen 20 maybe extended and retracted via a linear actuator, a solenoid device, arack and pinion device, an electrical drive motor, a non-armatureelectrical motor, a shape memory alloy device, a NanoMuscle™ device, anelectrically induced stress-strain device, a bio-material and/or thelike, without affecting the scope of the present invention. Optionally,the video display screen and frame may be manually pulled from themirror casing, but the video display screen device may limit orsubstantially preclude sliding movement of the frame toward the extendedposition unless the vehicle is shifted into the reverse gear or someother activating event occurs, such as actuation of a rearward viewingdevice or system, actuation of a cabin viewing device or system, such asa baby viewing or rear seat viewing device or system or the like,actuation of a video communication device or system, actuation of anavigation system of the vehicle and/or the like, without affecting thescope of the present invention. The manual operation of the videodisplay screen device may override the automatic extension andretraction of the display screen without adversely affecting theautomatic or electronic controls or devices or systems. The displayscreen and mirror assembly thus may include a manual override mechanismor device or means, which may allow an override of the automaticextension/retraction of the display screen, such as via pushing in orpulling out at the display screen, and using appropriate overrideelements or means, such as a slip clutch mechanism or the like (so thatthe gears of the drive mechanism may not be damaged when a user manuallypushes or pulls or moves the display screen).

It is further envisioned that the control system of the display devicemay extend and retract the display screen in response to multipleactivating or triggering events or a hierarchy of events, and mayoperate in a hierarchical manner where certain events control oroverride other events. The display screen device may be linked to thetriggering event and thus may be operable to display information orvideo images or the like pertaining to the system or device or functionassociated with the activating or triggering event. For example, whenthe reverse gear is engaged, the display screen may extend automaticallyand display the captured images or video of the scene rearward of thevehicle (as captured by a video camera or imaging sensor or the like atthe rear portion of the vehicle). If, on the other hand, a useractivates a phone system or communication system, such as by pressing abutton or actuating an input or providing a voice command or the like,the display screen may extend and may display useful information, suchas menus to select from or telephone numbers (such as a directory or alist or recently called numbers) or the like, to the user of thecommunication system. Optionally, if a telephone call is received by thetelephone or communication system, the display screen may extend todisplay a caller identification function or other pertinent informationor the like or video images of the caller (if associated with a videocommunication system) or the like to the driver or user.

Optionally, the microprocessor controlled control circuitry or algorithmfor driving or extending/retracting the display screen may include anextension suppression functionality or means, whereby the extension ofthe display screen (such as in response to an activating or triggeringevent or the like) may be suppressed when the vehicle speed is moving oris above a threshold speed or the like. For example, the microprocessorcontrolled control circuitry or algorithm may suppress extension of thedisplay screen for certain functions (such as, for example, videoconferencing or the like) when the vehicle speed is above about 5 mph orabove about 10 mph or thereabouts or when the vehicle is moving at anyspeed and/or when the vehicle is in drive, and may extend the displayscreen for such functions when the vehicle speed is reduced to a levelat or below the threshold speed or when the vehicle is stopped orshifted to Park. The microprocessor controlled control circuitry oralgorithm may override the suppression function and thus extend thedisplay screen for other functions, such as functions that should notwait until the vehicle is slowed or stopped, such as an emergency alertor warning or the like, so that the display screen may extend orpartially extend to alert the driver of an emergency conditionirrespective of the vehicle speed. The suppression function thus mayapply to suppress the automatic extension of the display screen when thevehicle is moving for certain functions or triggering events, and thesuppression function may be overridden for other functions, such thatthe display screen may extend for such other functions irrespective ofvehicle movement (such as for a backup aid when the vehicle is moving inreverse).

In situations where the display screen is already extended anddisplaying information to the driver pertaining to an activating event,such as, for example, displaying the rear seat area of the vehicle whena cabin monitor is activated, the display screen or display screendriver/control may change or adjust or reconfigure the display tocorrespond to another activating event, such as, for example, a warningor alert that the vehicle is low on fuel or the like. The hierarchy ofactivating events may determine which events may override other events,such that an important event, such as a rear vision system display whilethe vehicle is in reverse, is not overridden by an event that can waituntil after the first event (backing up the vehicle) is completed, suchas a navigational instruction pertaining to the vehicle navigationsystem or other information or video. The display screen device thus maycomprise a dynamic extension system that automatically extends thedisplay screen in response to dynamic events or functions. However, thedriver or occupant of the vehicle may override the event hierarchy atany time by manually activating another one of the triggering events orsystems or functions. For example, if the driver is backing up thevehicle, but is not using the rear vision system display, the driver oranother occupant may manually activate the navigation system ortelephone system or cabin monitoring system or the like to change thedisplay to correspond to the newly activated system. The manual overridemay be accomplished via manual actuation of a user input or the like orvia a voice command or the like.

As described above, the display screen may be extended in response to anactivating event associated with a vehicle navigation system and/or apoint of interest compass system, such as navigation systems/compasssystems of the types described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,477,464, and U.S.patent application Ser. No. 10/456,599, filed Jun. 6, 2003 by Weller etal. for INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR SYSTEM WITH COMPASS, now U.S. Pat. No.7,004,593; Ser. No. 10/287,178, filed Nov. 4, 2002 by McCarthy et al.for NAVIGATION SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,678,614; Ser.No. 10/645,762, filed Aug. 20, 2003 by Taylor et al. for VEHICLENAVIGATION SYSTEM FOR USE WITH A TELEMATICS SYSTEM, now U.S. Pat. No.7,167,796; and Ser. No. 10/422,378, filed Apr. 24, 2003, now U.S. Pat.No. 6,946,978, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. Insuch applications, the display screen may be extended to displaynavigational information, such as driving instructions or compassheading or a map or the like, to the driver of the vehicle as the drivernegotiates a programmed or desired route.

The display screen may be extended and activated to display theinstructions and/or compass heading and/or map in accordance with thegeographical position of the vehicle, such as detected by an in-vehicleor vehicle-based navigation system detector, such as a globalpositioning system (GPS) or circuitry and/or the like. The vehicularglobal positioning system may comprise an in-vehicle GPS antenna and aGPS receiver/signal processor that receives a satellite communication todetermine the geographic location of the vehicle, as is known in theart. Such global positioning system receivers/processors, sometimesreferred to as a GPS chip set, are available from various suppliers,such as, for example, Motorola of Schaumburg, Ill. and TrimbleNavigation of Sunnyvale, Calif. The display screen thus may be extendedand activated as the vehicle approaches a waypoint or milestone in theprogrammed route of the vehicle navigation system. The display screenthus not only provides the instructions and/or map to the driver, butthe extension of the display screen provides a visual cue or prompt toalert the driver or catch the driver's attention so that the driverknows to look at the screen to get the next instruction at anappropriate time before the vehicle arrives at the waypoint ormilestone. The display screen may then retract to its retracted positionafter the vehicle arrives at the next waypoint or milestone. The globalpositioning system thus may determine when the geographic position ofthe vehicle approaches a waypoint and may then trigger extension of thedisplay in conjunction with the vehicle navigation system or inconjunction with a vehicle database or navigation system database.

For example, a user or driver may enter a desired destination into thenavigational system and the navigational system may determine anappropriate route for the vehicle to travel from its initial or currentlocation until it arrives at the desired destination. As is known in theart, the route may be determined to provide a shortest distance route orquickest route or may be determined in accordance with other parametersas may be selected by the user. When the vehicle begins the journey, thedisplay screen may extend and activate to display a first instruction orset of instructions or map, such as “Take Oak Road West and turn rightat Maple Street and head North on Maple Street”. The display screen mayremain extended until the driver of the vehicle has carried out theinstructions and passed the first waypoint or milestone (for example,the intersection of Oak Road and Maple Street). The display screen maythen display the next instruction (such as, for example, “Take MapleStreet North to Interstate 96”) and may then retract until the vehicleapproaches the next waypoint. As the vehicle approaches the nextwaypoint, such as about one or two miles before the next waypoint (orany other distance as may be desired), the display screen may againextend and be activated to display or re-display the next instruction orset of instructions and/or map to the driver. For example, the displayscreen may extend (which, as discussed above, provides a visual cue tothe driver that he or she is approaching the next waypoint or milestoneof the journey) and may be activated to display a second instruction orset of instructions and/or map to the driver, such as “Enter Interstate96 and take Interstate 96 East to Exit 43”. While the vehicle is on theon-ramp or thereabouts, the display screen may display the next set ofinstructions or map (for example, “Take Interstate 96 East to Exit 43”),and then may retract to its retracted position as the vehicle is drivenonto Interstate 96 and heading east on Interstate 96. The display screenthus only extends and is activated when the instructions are desired,and is retracted between waypoints so as not to be a bother or nuisanceto the driver in situations where no further instructions are necessary.The extension of the display screen provides a visual cue to the driverto look at the screen for the next instruction at a particular time whenthe next instruction may be highly desirable or necessary to the driver.

The time or distance before the next waypoint that the display screenextends may be selected or pre-set by the manufacturer of the vehicle ormirror assembly or navigational system or the like. Optionally, the timeor distance before the next waypoint that the display screen extends mayvary depending on the vehicle speed or the particular road or highway onwhich the vehicle is traveling. For example, if the vehicle is travelingon a highway at about 70 mph, the display screen may extend and activateapproximately two miles before the next waypoint to allow the driversufficient time to get into the appropriate lane for exiting thehighway. However, if the vehicle is traveling on a road at about 30 mph,the display screen may extend and activate approximately 0.5 to 1 milesbefore the waypoint, because at the slower speed, such a distanceprovides ample time for the driver to prepare to execute the nextdriving instruction. The vehicle speed may be determined by wheelsensors or speed sensors of the vehicle or by the global positioningsystem or the like, or the speed may be estimated based on the knownspeed limit for the particular road that the vehicle is traveling on(where the particular speed limit may be extracted from a database ofsuch speed limits). It is further envisioned that the display screen mayextend and activate at different locations or distances relative to theapproaching waypoint in response to the driving conditions (as may bedetected by a rain sensor or other vision system or as may be providedby the global positioning system or the like), traffic conditions (asmay be provided by a vehicle vision system or object detection system orheadlamp control system or the like), and/or hazardous conditions (asmay be provided by vehicle vision systems or vehicle status systems orcollision avoidance systems, such as the types disclosed in U.S. Pat.No. 6,411,204, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference) and/orthe like, in order to provide sufficient time to the driver to prepareto execute the next set of instructions.

Optionally, the display screen may extend when the vehicle is not movingor stopped (as determined by a vehicle speed sensor or by a globalpositioning system or the like), such as at a stop light or the like,and may display information to the driver at a time when the driver isable to fully focus on the information being displayed. For example, thedisplay screen may display driving instructions or location informationor the like pertaining to the programmed route or next waypoint, or thedisplay screen may display trip statistics or the like, such as timetraveled, distance traveled, estimated arrival time, aid/or the like.Optionally, the display screen may display other information that may beof interest to the driver, such as information pertaining to thegeographic position of the vehicle (such as, for example, if the vehicleis stopped by a particular store or restaurant, the display may displayan advertisement of the store or restaurant) as may be provided via theglobal positioning system database or concierge service or the like, ormay display any other type of information to the driver at a time whenthe driver has time to look at and read/understand the information whilethe vehicle is stopped. The display screen may be manually retractedwhen the driver is finished viewing the information being displayed ormay be automatically retracted upon movement of the vehicle or a periodof time after onset of movement of the vehicle. The extension of thedisplay screen when the vehicle is stopped may be manually overridden toavoid extension if such extension is not desired. Thus, and optionally,the driver may manually pull out from the mirror housing (or push in tothe mirror housing) the video display screen assembly without needing toactuate the electrically-powered extension/retraction drive system.Thus, should it be desired to view the video screen when the vehicleignition is off (such as might occur when the vehicle is parked), thenoptionally the video screen can be manually extended without damage tothe electrically powered drive system. Optionally, the display screenmay partially extend to alert the driver of information that may beimportant to the driver (such as an alert to a fault or failure of avehicle accessory or component or system), and the display screen maythen fully extend upon slowing and/or stopping of the vehicle.

Optionally, the navigational system may be programmable or selectable oroperable to allow the driver to select at which waypoint or milestonealong the journey that the display screen will be extended and bevisible and readable by the driver to provide instructions such as thoseset forth above. For example, the driver of the vehicle may be wellaware of how to get onto Interstate 96 and to head east on Interstate 96to head toward the desired destination, but may not know where to exitand where to go after exiting the interstate. The driver thus may notwant the display screen to extend and provide the initial instructionsthat are already known to the driver while the driver is driving thevehicle toward and onto and along Interstate 96. At the onset of thejourney or while the driver is setting the navigation system, thenavigation system may receive inputs from the driver that are indicativeof a desired start point or waypoint for the instructions to begin, andthe display screen may remain retracted and deactivated until thegeographical position of the vehicle (as detected by the navigationalsystem detector) approaches the selected waypoint or milestone at whichthe display of the instructions or maps will begin (or unless thedisplay screen is extended and activated in accordance with a differentactivating or triggering event). As the vehicle approaches the selectedwaypoint or milestone, the display screen may extend and may beactivated to display the appropriate instructions and/or map. Forexample, the display screen may remain retracted while the vehicletravels toward and onto and along Interstate 96. When the vehicle isapproximately one to two miles (or other distance, as desired ordepending on other parameters as discussed above) from exit 43, thedisplay screen may extend to alert the driver, and may display theinstruction: “Take Exit 43 and turn left Pine Street. Take Pine StreetNorth to Elm Street.” After the vehicle has turned onto Pine Street, andthe system has detected that the waypoint has been reached, the displayscreen may again retract (and optionally may briefly display the nextdriving instructions or compass heading or map before it retracts) untilthe vehicle approaches the next waypoint, for example, the intersectionof Pine Street and Elm Street. As the vehicle approaches the nextwaypoint, the display screen may again extend and display the nextinstruction or set of instructions and/or map at the appropriate time orlocation before the next waypoint. The display screen thus may remainretracted throughout the known or familiar part of the journey, and thenmay extend to alert the driver or catch the driver's attention and toprovide the appropriate instructions and/or compass heading and/or mapto the driver at the appropriate time as the vehicle approaches the nextwaypoint or milestone in the journey or trip.

Optionally, if the driver is familiar with the route beyond what wasinitially thought when programming or setting or selecting the route,the driver may at any time manually override the system to retract thedisplay screen when it extends to provide the next instructions or map.For example, the driver may actuate an input or control at the displayscreen or at the steering wheel or at the mirror assembly or elsewherein the vehicle (such as may be provided at a keypad or touch padinterface, preferably menu driven as described herein) or may provide avocal message or voice command to cause the display screen to retractand deactivate if it is not desired or needed. The driver may actuate orprovide such inputs to select the destination or initial waypoint or tooverride the navigation system or the like or to enter telephone numbers(for a communication system) or street addresses or the like. Thenavigation system thus may retract the display screen when it is notneeded or desired by the driver. As the vehicle approaches the nextwaypoint or milestone in the journey, the display screen may againextend and provide the next appropriate instruction and/or map to thedriver of the vehicle. Likewise, if the driver is less familiar with theroute, or merely wants to check the location or progress or the like,the driver may override the system to cause the display screen to extendand activate to show the next instructions or directional heading or amap or any trip statistics that the driver may want to review. Forexample, the driver may actuate an input or control at the displayscreen or at the steering wheel or at the mirror assembly or elsewherein the vehicle or may provide a vocal message to cause the displayscreen to extend and activate to display such instructions, heading,maps or information or the like.

If a particular waypoint is passed or missed, such that the vehicle isno longer on or following the programmed route, the system may extendthe display screen to alert the driver and may display a warning that aturn or exit or the like was missed, and may provide instructions as tohow to get back on the programmed route, such as described in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 10/645,762, filed Aug. 20, 2003 by Taylor etal. for VEHICLE NAVIGATION SYSTEM FOR USE WITH A TELEMATICS SYSTEM, nowU.S. Pat. No. 7,167,796, which is hereby incorporated herein byreference. The display screen may be extended in this manner even duringthe initial or familiar part of the route to alert the driver that he orshe has departed from the desired route.

The display screen thus may extend to alert the driver that informationor video pertaining to one of the activating or triggering events orwaypoints is being displayed. The driver's attention is thus drawn tothe display screen when such information is being displayed, such thatthe driver is not likely to miss or overlook or ignore such information.The display screen thus provides a driver prompt that prompts the driverto look at the display screen for new information that is beingdisplayed thereon. Optionally, an audible prompt may be provided toalert the driver to look at the display screen for the instructions.Optionally, the navigation system and/or display screen device may beoperable to turn down the volume of other vehicle systems, such as aradio or communication system or the like, when the display screen isextended, such that the driver may focus on the display screen or sothat the driver may readily hear and recognize the audible prompt orvoice command or alert signal.

Optionally, the driver prompt or alert may be provided via an audiosignal or a tactile or haptic signal at the steering wheel or the like(such as a vibration of the steering wheel to alert the driver to viewthe display screen), and may be provided in addition to the automaticextension of the display screen or as a separate or secondary prompt.Such a secondary prompt may be particularly useful when the driverpasses a waypoint or milestone in a journey. In such a situation, thedisplay screen may already be extended to display the nextwaypoint/instructions, so the secondary prompt may alert the driver tocheck or view the display screen to notify the driver that he or she haspassed the waypoint. Also, such a secondary prompt or audio or tactilesignal may be particularly useful when the display screen is alreadyextended for one function or system and another dynamic activating ortriggering event occurs that has a higher priority than the firstfunction or system. Because the display screen is already extended, thedriver may not be prompted by the extension of the screen to view thenew information.

Therefore, the secondary prompt or signal may be provided to alert thedriver to again look at the display screen. For example, if the driveror occupant of the vehicle is using a telephone system and the displayscreen is already extended to show telephone numbers or the like as thevehicle approaches a waypoint, the display screen may be adjusted orreconfigured to display the next set of instructions and/or compassheading and/or map associated with the approaching waypoint and thesecondary prompt may be provided to alert the driver to look at thedisplay screen. It is further envisioned that the display of thenavigation instructions may be provided on the screen in addition to thetelephone numbers (or other information or video being displayed on thedisplay screen), such as in a picture-in-picture type format (such as isknown in the television art) or the like. Optionally, the secondaryprompt may only be provided in such situations where the display screenis already extended for a first activating event when a secondactivating event occurs.

Existing global positioning systems as used globally in the automotiveindustry receive their satellite feed from U.S. government owned orcontrolled satellites and are U.S. agency controlled. Such satellitefeeds are restricted to provide a geographic location resolution ofabout 15 meters to about 20 meters. The European Commission (EC) and theEuropean Space Agency (ESA) are in the process of developing andlaunching a separate multi-satellite system that will operate under theGALILEO satellite radio navigation system protocol. Such a satellitesystem is intended to provide a geographic location resolution of about4 meters when functioning. It is envisioned that any GPS receiverutilized in conjunction with the mirror assembly or display system ofthe present invention would be configured to operate under either orboth satellite systems.

Optionally, the navigation system and display screen of the presentinvention may be provided as a self contained module or the like at thewindshield area of the vehicle. For example, the navigation system,including the global positioning system antenna and control circuitryand the like, may be provided with a windshield electronics module oraccessory module or the like or with the mirror assembly or overheadconsole, and may be in electrical connection or communication with thedisplay screen device, such as via a wire connection or a wirelesscommunication or the like. The complete navigation system and displaythus may lend itself to aftermarket applications and may be installed inan existing vehicle.

For example, a stand alone navigation system may include a slide out orextendable/retractable display screen and a windshield electronicsmodule. The windshield electronics module may include the antenna (suchas a global positioning system antenna), controls and circuitry for thenavigation system. The controls may be operable to receive manual inputsto set a desired route and may be operable to control or extend/retractthe display screen and to activate the display screen to display theappropriate information to the driver, based on or in response to thegeographical location of the vehicle along the selected or desiredroute, such as described above. The stand alone navigation system mayinclude a user interface device, such as a keypad or manual inputs orthe like, and one or more displays, such as icons, letters, characters,and/or indicia or the like. The user interface device may receive manualinputs that select the desired route (such as by entering a desireddestination or address or the like), and the navigation system maydetermine the appropriate route and the appropriate waypoints at whichthe display screen may extend and activate to display the appropriateinformation to the driver of the vehicle.

Optionally, the user interface device may comprise a menu driven devicethat may display a plurality of functions in response to particularentries or key selections or inputs by the user of the navigationsystem. For example, the user interface device may include a displayscreen (and may be at or incorporated into the extendable/retractabledisplay screen) and may include a plurality of inputs or buttons orsensors or the like positioned at or around the display screen.Optionally, the user actuatable inputs may be positioned at and at leastpartially around the rim of the mirror, and the display may be providedas a display on demand transflective display at the mirror reflectiveelement, such as a display of the types described in U.S. Pat. Nos.5,668,663; 5,724,187; and/or 6,690,268, and/or in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/054,633, filed Jan. 22, 2002 by Lynam et al. forVEHICULAR LIGHTING SYSTEM, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,195,381; and/or Ser. No.11/021,065, filed Dec. 23, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,255,451; Ser. No.10/528,269, filed Mar. 17, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,274,501; and/orSer. No. 10/533,762, filed May 4, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,184,190,and/or PCT Application No. PCT/US03/29776, filed Sep. 9, 2003 byDonnelly Corp. et al. for MIRROR REFLECTIVE ELEMENT ASSEMBLY, andpublished Apr. 1, 2004 as International Publication No. WO 2004/026633,which are all hereby incorporated herein by reference. Optionally, theinputs may be positioned around the rim of the display screen and thedisplay on demand transflective displays may be provided at the displayscreen.

The inputs may be actuated to select particular functions displayed onthe screen or may be held in or continuously or repeatedly actuated toscroll through functions or selections displayed on the screen. Forexample, the destination or address may be keyed into the navigationsystem by selecting and actuating an input that corresponds to the“destination entry” function shown on the display, where the user maythen be prompted to key in the address or street name. The user then mayactuate a first input and may continue to actuate the input (such asrepeatedly actuating the input or holding the input down to continuouslyactuate the input) to scroll through the alphabet (such as with thescrolling letter being shown on the display on demand transflectivedisplay at the display screen or mirror reflective element) to set thefirst letter of the street name. Once the first letter is set, the usermay do the same with a second input or button or sensor to set thesecond letter of the street name and so on. After a sufficient amount ofletters have been selected (such as the first three or four letters ofthe street name), the display screen may display multiple street namesin the targeted area (which may be input at the onset of the programmingof the navigation system) that start with the same letters keyed in bythe user. The user then may actuate another input to scroll through thelisted street names to find and select the desired street name.

For example, the user may key in the first letter, such as “M” for MapleStreet by holding down the first button or input until “M” is shown atthe first space of the street name. The second letter “a” may beselected in a similar manner. After the first few letters are entered,the user may then scroll through the list of street names that begin,for example, with the letters “M-a-p”, and may then scroll down untilMaple Street is located, whereby the user may select “Maple Street” toenter the destination. The address and/or city and/or region and/or thelike may be entered in a similar manner to input the destination for thevehicle.

The navigation system may then program or select the appropriate routeand may begin to extend the display screen and activate the displayscreen to provide the appropriate instructions and/or compass headingsand/or maps to the driver of the vehicle as the vehicle travels alongthe programmed route and approaches the waypoints. Optionally, thenavigation system control may include word sensing/guessing algorithmsor systems, such as often used in text messaging for mobile phones andthe like, whereby (under microprocessor control), an algorithm orsoftware anticipates/estimates/guesses the intended word being typed orentered and types ahead of the user's input strokes or keystrokes so asto assist the user in entering the desiredwords/text/destination/information and/or the like.

The display screen of the present invention thus may be operable inconjunction with one or more systems of the mirror assembly or accessorymodule or console or of the vehicle, and may be linked to such systemsto display information or video or the like pertaining to the particularsystem when that system is activated or selected. The display screen mayautomatically extend and activate to display such information or videowhen a particular system is activated, or when a particular condition orlocation of the vehicle is detected, and may automatically retract whenthe particular system is deactivated or when the particular condition orlocation of the vehicle is passed. The display screen thus may extend toalert the driver that there is pertinent information or video beingdisplayed at the display screen, and may be retracted when suchinformation or video is not necessary or desired. The driver mayoverride the display screen function to manually retract/deactivate thedisplay screen when it is not desired, or to manually extend/activatethe display screen when it is desired. The display system thus providesa dynamic extension system that responds dynamically to drivingconditions and/or traffic conditions and/or vehicle conditions and/orhazardous conditions and/or selected systems or accessories.

Optionally, the display screen may be activated/extended in conjunctionwith a rear vision system or back up aid. For example (and such asdescribed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/226,628, filed Sep. 14,2005, and published on Mar. 23, 2006 as U.S. Patent Publication No.2006/00610084, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference), thedisplay screen may extend (and/or the display screen may be activated)when the vehicle is shifted into reverse, and then may retract (and/ordeactivate) when the vehicle is shifted into park or drive or otherforward gear. In a trailer hitching situation, or in other reversingsituations, where a vehicle is backed up toward a trailer tongue forconnecting the trailer to the vehicle (or otherwise backed up towardother objects), the vehicle may be driven backward and forward multipletimes to align the vehicle hitch with the trailer tongue (or to align oravoid other objects rearward of the vehicle). Such repeated shifting ofthe vehicle between reverse and drive may result in the display beingextended/retracted multiple times and/or activated/deactivated multipletimes, which may also result in the driver losing his or her frame ofreference in the image displayed as he or she repeatedly engages anddisengages the reverse gear of the vehicle. Thus, the circuitry or logicor control of the display of the present invention may extend and/oractivate the display when the reverse gear of the vehicle is engaged,and may maintain the display in the extended/activated state, even ifthe vehicle is shifted into the “drive” gear or any forward gear, untila threshold criteria is met, such as when the forward speed of thevehicle exceeds a threshold speed, such as about 3 miles per hour (mph)or about 5 mph or about 7 mph or about 10 mph (or any desired thresholdvehicle forward speed), or when the vehicle travels in the forwarddirection a threshold distance (such as about 10 feet or about 20 feetor about 30 feet or thereabouts), or when a time period has elapsed fromthe time of disengaging the reverse gear or engaging the forward gear(such as about 5 seconds or about 10 seconds or any other threshold timeperiod after disengaging the reverse gear). The display screen thusstays extended/activated during short term forward movements, such asmay typically occur during a hitching or other backup or reversemaneuvering event, in order to provide a continuous display to thedriver of the vehicle during the entire hitching or reverse maneuveringoperation. The camera or imaging device and system may also remainactivated so that the rearward image is displayed and viewable at thedisplay during the reverse maneuverings and short term forwardmovements.

For example, and with reference to FIG. 54, a display control system 580includes a control or microprocessor 582 that is operable to control adisplay or display screen 584, and that may activate/deactivate thedisplay and/or may extend/retract the display in response to anactivating event or trigger. In the illustrated embodiment, control 582extends and retracts display 584 in response to a signal indicative ofthe transmission gear of the vehicle that is engaged (such as a signalfrom a shifter or PRNDL 586 of the vehicle or the like). The controlthus may extend the display screen when the reverse gear is engaged, andmay retract the display screen in response to one or more deactivatingor retracting events/signals. For example, control 582 may retractdisplay 584 when the control receives a signal that is indicative of aspeed sensor 588 (such as a wheel speed sensor or encoder or other speedsensing means) detecting or sensing that the vehicle is travelingforward at or greater than a threshold speed, or may retract the displaywhen control 582 receives a signal that is indicative of a distancesensor 590 detecting or sensing that the vehicle has traveled forward athreshold distance after the reverse gear was disengaged, or may retractthe display when control 582 receives a signal that is indicative of atiming device 592 signaling that a threshold amount of time has elapsedsince the reverse gear was disengaged. Other inputs or signals ordeactivating events or triggers that are indicative of the vehicle nolonger being in a hitching or other reverse maneuvering situation may beutilized so that the control will retract the display after the reversemaneuvering situation is completed and not during the reversemaneuvering situation. The control thus will not immediately retract thedisplay when the forward gear is engaged but will leave the displayextended/activated during short term forward movements of the vehicle.

Optionally, the video display screen device of the present invention maycomprise a video display screen module or subassembly, which may includethe video display screen and the control and/or associated circuitry onthe frame or support, such that the module is extendable and retractablerelative to the mirror casing. Such a video display screen module may bepurchased from a video display screen module source or supplier andassembled or installed into the mirror product (or movably attached to arear portion of a reflective element portion of a mirror assembly, suchas discussed below) at the mirror assembly plant. For example, themodule may be slidably installed as a single unit on or along one ormore slide members at the mirror casing and electrically connected to alead or wire or connector at the mirror assembly, thereby easing themanufacturing processes of the mirror assembly and video display screenassembly.

Although the addition of the control and associated components andcircuitry to the extendable frame may add weight to the extended portionof the video display screen module, this is of minimal concern since anyadditional vibration of the mirror assembly which may occur due to theadditional weight extended outward from the mirror casing may occur whenthe video display screen is in its extended position, which, asdiscussed above, is preferably occasional or temporary, and typicallywhen the video display screen is in use. However, the mirror assemblydesirably includes anti-vibration means for limiting vibration of thedisplay screen when extended and/or of the reflective element, such asvibration that may be due to the increased mass of the mirror assemblyand/or a change in the center of gravity of the mirror assembly when thedisplay screen is extended.

It is further envisioned that the frame of the video display screendevice of the present invention may support or include or contain one ormore other accessories or controls. For example, one or more useractuatable controls or buttons may be included on the frame and may beoperable to actuate or control the video display screen and/or one ormore other accessories, such as a rearward viewing device or system, acabin viewing device or system or a video communication device orsystem, or other accessories of the mirror assembly or of an accessorymodule or of the vehicle. Optionally, the frame may include or supportother accessories, such as one or more microphones or speakers or thelike, which may be associated with a video communication device orsystem in communication with the video display screen or may beassociated with other audio devices or systems of the vehicle.

Optionally, the frame may support or include a camera or video orimaging device or sensor, which may be directable toward the driver ofthe vehicle when the frame is extended toward the driver side of thevehicle. For example, the camera, video display screen and a microphoneor microphones, and a speaker and/or other audible signaling device,such as a buzzer or other alert device or the like, may all be includedon the support frame of the video display screen device and may functionin connection with a video and audio communication device or system orthe like, such as a system utilizing principles disclosed in U.S. Pat.Nos. 6,243,003; 6,278,377; and/or 6,420,975; and/or U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/529,715, filed Mar. 30, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No.7,657,052; and/or PCT Application No. PCT/US03/30877, filed Oct. 1,2003, and published Apr. 15, 2004 as International Publication No. WO2004/032568, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. Othercontrols and/or accessories, such as discussed below with respect to themirror assembly, may also or otherwise be included in or incorporatedinto the frame of the video display screen device, without affecting thescope of the present invention.

Optionally, the video display screen module may extend toward the driverside of the mirror assembly when the mirror assembly is installed in avehicle, or may alternately or additionally and preferably be positionedon the passenger side of the mirror assembly and may extend from thepassenger side of the mirror assembly to provide an extendable andretractable video display screen for viewing by the driver or apassenger of the vehicle, without affecting the scope of the presentinvention. Because the mirror assembly is typically angled toward thedriver of the vehicle to provide the driver with the appropriate ordesired rearward field of view, the driver side video display screendevice of the present invention may, in its extended position, interferewith or contact the windshield when the mirror assembly is angled towardthe driver. In such applications where there may be insufficientclearance on the driver's side, it is desirable and preferable to havethe video display screen slide outward toward the passenger side of thevehicle (as shown in FIGS. 12-40). Because the mirror assembly is angledtoward the driver of the vehicle, the passenger side video displayscreen may be readily viewable by the driver of the vehicle when it isextended from the mirror assembly. Optionally, the passenger side videodisplay screen may be pivotable relative to the mirror casing to furtherangle the video display screen toward the driver to enhance the viewingof the video display screen. Thus, compared to mirror assemblies thathave a display screen extend, such as from the bottom of the mirrorcasing when the mirror is mounted to the windshield, the display screenof the present invention provides an improved display by having thedisplay unit slide or extend laterally out from the mirror casing toreduce potential interference with the forward field of view of thedriver of the vehicle. In the former situations with the display screenextending from the bottom of the mirror casing, the display screen mayinterfere with the forward field of view of the driver of the vehicle,whereas in applications of the present invention such as shown in FIG.12, the display screen may extend to a region at the passenger side ofthe vehicle and thus is not typically within the forward field of viewof the driver during normal driving conditions.

For example, and with reference to FIGS. 19-40, the mirror assembly maycomprise various styled or constructed mirror assemblies with variousfeatures and content, and with the display screen 18 being extendable,preferably toward the passenger side of the vehicle when the mirrorassembly is installed at the vehicle (but of course, other extensions,such as to the driver side or at the bottom or top of the mirrorassembly, may be contemplated), such as at the interior surface of thevehicle windshield. During the below discussion of FIGS. 19-40, themirror assemblies and display screen devices or modules may besubstantially similar as the mirror assemblies and display screendevices or modules of FIGS. 1-18, such that a detailed discussion of themirror assemblies and display screen devices or modules will not berepeated herein. Where elements or components of the mirror assembliesand/or display screen devices or modules may be substantially similar,the same reference numbers may be used to reference the elements inFIGS. 19-40 as used to reference the substantially similar elements inFIGS. 1-18.

As shown in FIG. 19, a mirror assembly 10″ includes a display screendevice or module 18″ that extends from a mirror casing 12″. The mirrorcasing 12″ substantially receives the display screen within the casingwhen the display screen 18″ is retracted into the mirror casing. Themirror assembly 10′ includes a user input 19″ at an opposite end of themirror assembly from the display screen, whereby actuation of the userinput 19″ may cause the display screen to extend or retract relative tothe mirror casing.

Optionally, and as shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, the mirror assembly 110 mayinclude a lower perimeter or chin portion 112 a of casing 112, wherebythe user inputs 119 may be positioned along the lower perimeter portion112 a for access by a user of the mirror assembly and/or display screen.Optionally, and as shown in FIGS. 22 and 23, the mirror assembly 110′may include a display 152′, such as a temperature display or compassdisplay or the like (such as the types described below), at the lowerperimeter portion 112 a′ of mirror casing 112′ for viewing by the driverof the vehicle. Optionally, and as shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, the mirrorassembly 110″ may include a display 152″ at the reflective element 116″.The display 152″ may display information, such as temperature or compassdirectional heading or the like, and may be located at a window in thereflective coating of the reflective element, or may be located behind atransflective reflective element or the like, such as the typesdescribed below. The mirror assembly 110, 110′, 110″ thus provides awider or taller casing for receiving the display device or module orscreen 118, 118′, 118″ therein. Optionally, the casing may not change insize as compared to the other styles of mirror assemblies, and thereflective element viewing area may be reduced to provide the space forthe lower perimeter portion at the lower or chin portion of the casing.

Optionally, and as shown in FIGS. 26 and 27, the mirror assembly 210 mayinclude the lower perimeter or chin portion 212 a (which may support orprovide a location for user inputs 219), and may include an expandedcasing portion 212 b at a side region (such as the side region towardthe passenger side of the vehicle when the mirror assembly is installedin a vehicle) so as to receive the video display screen or module ordevice 218 therein. Similarly, and as shown in FIGS. 28 and 29, theexpanded side region 212 b′ of mirror casing 212′ of mirror assembly210′ may be expanded or increased in the vertical dimension forreceiving the display screen or module or device 218′ therein, while theside of the mirror that is opposite from the display screen may have alower profile. In such an embodiment, the user inputs 219′ may belocated at the expanded side region 212 b′.

Optionally, and desirably, the display screen device or module orelement may be slidably attached to a rear portion of the mirror casing,and may form part of the rear mirror casing when in its retractedposition. The display screen casing thus may extend substantially alongthe rear of the mirror assembly to provide a more secure mountingarrangement of the display screen to the mirror assembly, whereby anincreased or substantial amount of the display screen casing or framemay extend along the mirror casing or frame even when the display screenis in its fully extended orientation. The elongated display screencasing thus may substantially anchor the display screen to the mirrorcasing and may achieve reduced vibration of the display screen relativeto the mirror casing when the display screen is in its extendedorientation or position.

For example, and as shown in FIGS. 30-32, the rearview mirror assembly310 includes a first or forward or reflective element portion orsubassembly 311 and a second or rearward or display element or portionor module or subassembly 318. Reflective element portion 311 includes areflective element 316 and a mounting element or support arm 36extending generally rearwardly from the reflective element for mountingthe mirror assembly to an interior portion of the vehicle, while displayelement portion 318 includes a display screen 360 and associatedcircuitry. Reflective element portion 311 includes a cut-away or removedportion or reduced thickness portion 311 a along at least a portion ofthe rear of the casing, such as along approximately half of the rear ofthe casing as shown in FIGS. 31 and 32. The display element portion 318includes or is encased by a casing 318 a that substantially encases thedisplay screen circuitry and the like at the rear of the display screen360. The display element casing 318 a is formed to substantially matchthe contours and appearance and surface texture and color of the mirrorcasing 312 so that the mirror assembly has the appearance of asubstantially continuous casing when the display element 318 is fullyretracted (FIG. 32).

Casing 312 substantially encases the rear portion of the reflectiveelement subassembly (so as to encase a rear portion of the reflectiveelement and any circuitry or elements or components of the reflectiveelement subassembly) and provides a rear surface 312 c (FIG. 31) at thereduced thickness portion 311 a of subassembly or portion 311 so thatthe rear surface 312 c of casing 312 is exposed when the display element318 is extended. The rear surface 312 c may include one or more matingelements, such as rails or tracks or guides or bearings or slideelements along the rear surface 312 c for movably attaching to one ormore other mating elements, such as rails or tracks or guides orbearings or slide elements, at the display element portion 318 (such asat a forward facing portion or surface of the display element portion).

The display element portion 318 thus is movable along the rear surface312 c of reflective element portion or subassembly 311 to extend andretract the display screen or element relative to the reflective elementportion 311. When extended toward the display side of the mirrorassembly (the passenger side of the mirror assembly and vehicle in theillustrated embodiment), the display screen is viewable by a personviewing the mirror assembly from within the cabin of the vehicle. Whenthe display screen is retracted, the display screen is positioned behindthe reflective element portion and may face or oppose the rear surfaceof the reflective element portion so as to be substantially or entirelynon-viewable by a person viewing the mirror assembly from within thecabin of the vehicle. Preferably, the drive mechanism of the displayelement 318 (such as a drive motor and gears and clutch mechanism andthe like) is self-contained within the display element 318, with theappropriate gears or driving or mating elements of the display element318 engaging the mating elements at the rear surface 312 c when thedisplay element 318 is mounted to the reflective element portion 311.

As shown in FIG. 31, the display element casing 318 a may include anotch or cutout area or slot 318 b (such as a partial or open slot, suchas a generally C-shaped slot, such as illustrated in FIG. 31) forfitting around or at least partially receiving or enveloping themounting assembly 36, so that the notch or cutout area or slot 318 b ofdisplay element casing 318 a cooperates with a similar notch or cutoutarea or slot or partial/open slot 312 d of casing 312 to substantiallysurround or envelop the mounting assembly 36 as it protrudes rearwardthrough the mirror casing for attaching to an interior portion of thevehicle, such as an interior surface of the vehicle windshield or thelike. Because the display screen may be smaller than the length betweenthe mirror mounting arrangement and the end of the mirror casing, thedisplay screen may be fully extended for viewing, while a substantialportion of the display element casing is engaged with the mirrorassembly (such as a track or rail along the mirror assembly as describedabove) to provide enhanced support of the display screen (as shown inFIGS. 30 and 31).

Optionally, and with reference to FIGS. 33 and 34, the display elementportion 318′ may extend substantially or entirely the length of thecasing 312′ of first or forward or reflective element portion orsubassembly 311′ of mirror assembly 310′ (when the display screen isretracted), so as to provide enhanced support of the display elementportion 318′ when the display screen 360′ is extended. In theillustrated embodiment, the display element portion 318′ includes adisplay screen portion 319 a′ (which is thick or deep enough to containthe display screen 360′ and the associated circuitry and drive mechanismwithin or substantially encased by the display element casing 318 a′)and a reduced thickness support portion or arm 319 b′. The reflectiveelement portion or subassembly 311′ thus may have a reduced thickness ordepth or cutout region 311 a′ extending along about half the length ofthe rear portion of the reflective element portion 311′ for receivingthe display screen portion 319 a′ of display element portion 318′. Therear of the reflective element portion 311′ is substantially encased andhas a rear casing surface or portion 312 f′ which may be partiallyexposed when the display element is at least partially extended. Whenthe display screen is retracted, the display screen is behind thereflective element portion and may face or oppose the rear surface ofthe reflective element portion so as to be substantially or entirelynon-viewable by a person viewing the mirror assembly from within thecabin of the vehicle.

The reflective element portion 311′ may include at least one matingelement (such as one or more guides or rails or tracks or the like at oralong the rear casing surface 312 f of the reflective element portion311′), while the display element portion 318′ may also include at leastone mating element, so that the display element portion 318′ movablyattaches to the rear of the reflective element portion 311′ to assemblethe mirror assembly 310′. The mating elements may provide for sliding orrolling or moving engagement of the display element portion 318′ alongsubstantially or entirely the length of the rear portion or surface 312f of the mirror casing 312′. For example, the rear surface 312 c′ of thereduced thickness portion 311 a′ may provide a mounting interface orelement or surface or track or the like for movably attaching thedisplay screen portion 319 a′ of display element portion 318′, while therear surface 312 g′ of the thicker portion 311 b′ of the reflectiveelement portion 311′ (at the side of the mirror assembly opposite fromthe reduced thickness portion or region) may provide another mountinginterface or element or surface or track or the like for movablyattaching the support arm portion 319 b′ of display element portion318′.

The display screen portion 319 a′ and the reduced thickness portion orsupport arm 319 b′ thus movably engage the forward casing 312′ at therear casing surface 312 c′ and the rear casing surface 312 g′,respectively. Optionally, the display element and the front casingportions may have respective substantially uniform thicknesses alongtheir lengths, without affecting the scope of the present invention. Insuch an application, other accessories or circuitry or the like may beprovided with the display element subassembly or module, while thereflective element subassembly or module may principally contain orinclude the reflective element and the mounting element or support armor the like for mounting the mirror assembly at an interior portion ofthe vehicle.

As shown in FIG. 34, the display screen casing 318 a′ includes asubstantially or wholly closed aperture or slot or guideway 318 b′formed along a portion of the display screen casing for receiving themounting element or support arm 36 therethrough. The slot 318 b′preferably substantially or wholly envelops or surrounds the mountingelement and support arm (in other words, the edge of the display elementportion 318′ that defines the aperture or slot surrounds the mountingelement and support arm) at the rear of the mirror assembly, so that thesupport arm or mounting element is substantially enveloped by the casing318 a′ throughout the range of movement of the display element portion318′ relative to the reflective element portion 311′, and whereby themounting element or support arm protrudes through the slot or opening inthe display element portion throughout the range of movement of thedisplay element portion relative to the reflective element portion. Theslot is sized so that the display element portion 318′ and displayscreen casing 318 a′ may be moved between the extended position (asshown in FIGS. 33 and 34) and the retracted position (not shown) withoutinterference of the display element portion and casing with the mountingelement 36 of the mirror assembly 310′.

The display screen casing 318 a′ thus extends over a substantial portionof the rear of the reflective element portion of the mirror assembly(more than half of the length of the mirror assembly) when the displayscreen is fully extended, and thus provides substantial support of thedisplay screen device at the mirror assembly at all degrees ofextension/retraction of the display screen. As can be seen in FIG. 34,the reflective element casing 312′ may include a slot or groove or othermating element 312 e′ along a lower rear portion thereof (and/or alongan upper rear portion thereof) for slidably receiving and guiding acorresponding lip or tab or sliding element or mating element 318 c′ ofdisplay element portion 318 a′ to provide enhanced guidance and supportof the display element portion 318′ at the mirror casing 312′ ofreflective element portion 311′ of mirror assembly 310′.

Thus, the display element portion (including the rear casing portion andthe display element and associated electronic circuitry, such as thedrive system elements and display screen and display control elementsand the like) may be provided with an attachment face or surface orelement for movably attaching to a corresponding attachment face orsurface or element at the rear of the reflective element portion. Thedisplay element portion thus may be provided as a self-contained unit orsubassembly or module that may be readily attached to the reflectiveelement portion (which may include the reflective element and bezelportion and a portion of the mirror casing), such as via a snap typeconnection to the reflective element portion. The display elementportion or unit or module or subassembly may be slidable along the rearsurface or interface at the reflective element portion to move thedisplay screen between the extended, viewable position and theretracted, non-viewable position, where the display screen is positionedat or behind the reflective element casing and thus is not readilyviewable or visible to a person viewing the mirror assembly from withinthe vehicle cabin. The mirror assembly of the present invention thusprovides a split case design or arrangement, with the rear portionproviding or substantially encasing a self-contained video displayscreen element or module or unit or subassembly that is nested with thefront portion, which includes the mirror reflective element and forwardmirror casing.

For example, a slidable video display element module or subassembly orassembly or unit may include a video display screen, motive controlcircuitry (preferably including a microprocessor and digital logic), amotor (operable to drive the movement of the display screen relative tothe reflective element portion), gears/gearing (for moving the displayscreen relative to the reflective element portion in response to themotor, and preferably including a clutch mechanism or slip clutch), aguide track or rail or element, limit switches and/or stops, and anyassociated cabling or wires or circuitry, such that the display moduleor subassembly is a stand alone subassembly or unit. The stand alonedisplay module or subassembly or unit may be attached to a portion of amirror assembly (such as a reflective element portion having a casingelement or portion and a reflective element and a mounting element formounting the mirror assembly at an interior portion of the vehicle) andmay function to move relative to the portion of the mirror assembly toextend and retract the display screen relative to the portion of themirror assembly. Optionally, the stand alone or self-contained displayelement subassembly or unit may be purchased or obtained as a separateunit and encased within a casing for attachment to the reflectiveelement portion of the mirror assembly.

Thus, a mirror manufacturer may purchase the self-contained displayscreen element portion or unit from a display screen supplier. Thedisplay screen element may include and combine a display screen andassociated electronic circuitry that is at least sufficient to controlthe video slideout function, including the video function and the motorfunction. The mirror manufacturer thus may provide the reflectiveelement portion, which includes the mirror reflective element andforward casing element or portion, and may include the mountingarrangement or arm or assembly, and the mirror manufacturer may snap orattach the rear display screen element or subassembly or sub-module(which preferably includes the entire video display mechanism) to therear of the reflective element portion to assemble the mirror assembly.The display element may be purchased as a unit and may include the outercasing that substantially encases the circuitry and elements of thedisplay screen (or may include a frame or skeleton or structure, wherebythe outer casing or skin of the unit may be provided by the mirrormanufacturer to match the outer casing of the reflective elementportion).

When assembled, the display element portion or subassembly may beslidable or otherwise movable (such as via rollers or bearings or slideelements or the like) relative to the reflective element portion, suchas along the rear surface or interface or mating element of thereflective element portion or subassembly, to extend and retract thedisplay screen at the display side of the mirror assembly (preferablytoward the passenger side of the vehicle when the mirror assembly ismounted in the vehicle). Optionally, the display element may includeother electronic components and/or circuitry and/or elements, such as,for example, mirror reflective element control circuitry (such as forcontrolling the automatic dimming function of an electro-optic orelectrochromic mirror reflective element or the like), which may beconnected to the appropriate connectors or terminals at the forwardcasing portion or at the reflective element when the display elementportion is attached or snapped to the reflective element portion toassemble the mirror assembly. Optionally, the reflective element portionmay include other electronic circuitry or elements therein, such as fordisplays or user actuatable inputs or the like, and the appropriateelectrical power or control connections may be made to the reflectiveelement portion and its circuitry when the display element portion isattached or snapped to the rear interface surface of the reflectiveelement portion.

Preferably, the rear display element portion extends substantially orentirely the length of the rear of the reflective element portion toprovide substantial support for the display element portion even whenthe display screen is fully extended. For example, an interior mirrorassembly is typically between 8 inches and 10.5 inches in width (thedimension generally across the vehicle when the mirror assembly ismounted in the vehicle), while the display screen may be approximately3.5 inches wide (or more). In an application where the mirror assemblyis about 10 inches wide, the rear casing portion or display elementportion may, for example, be about 10 inches wide or thereabouts so asto substantially uniformly match the length or width of the reflectiveelement portion when the display element portion is fully retracted (orpositioned generally flush with the reflective element portion). Thus,when the display screen is moved outward to its fully extended position(which may require movement of at least 3.5 inches or more, such asabout 4 inches or thereabouts), a substantial portion (about five to sixinches or thereabouts) of the display element portion remains locatedover the rear of the reflective element portion so that a substantialportion of the display element portion may be engaged with the interfacesurface or mating element of the reflective element portion tosubstantially cantileverly support the extended display screen at themirror assembly. As can be seen in FIG. 34, when the display elementportion 318′ is fully extended, the display element may still engage thereflective element portion 311′ at two locations, where the displayscreen portion 319 a′ engages the outer end of the casing 312′ and wherethe reduced thickness portion 319 b′ engages the generally central rearportion of the casing and near or at the mounting arm or assembly 36.The reduced thickness portion 319 b′ of the display element 318′ thusfunctions as an extended mounting arm to provide additional support andstabilization of the display screen, in addition to the support providedby the display screen portion 319 a′ of the display element 318′.

As shown in FIG. 34, display element portion 318′ spans a substantialamount of the rear surface of the reflective element portion 311′.Preferably, the display element portion 318′ is sized so that at least aportion of the display element portion moves past the mounting elementand toward the opposite side of the mirror assembly from the displayside (the display side is the side at which the display screen isextended for viewing, and in the illustrated embodiment, the displayside is the passenger side of the mirror assembly and vehicle, such thatthe opposite side is at the driver side of the mirror assembly andvehicle in the illustrated embodiment) when the display element portionis moved toward its retracted position. In the illustrated embodiment ofFIGS. 33 and 34, the display element portion is sized so that at least aportion of the display element portion is located at the opposite sideof the mirror assembly from the display side throughout the range ofmovement of the display element portion relative to the reflectiveelement portion. For example, and as shown in FIG. 34, the end of thedisplay element portion opposite from the display screen is locatedtoward the driver side of the mirror assembly (and to the right of themounting element in FIG. 34) even when the display screen is fullyextended toward the passenger side of the mirror assembly. As also shownin FIG. 34, at least a portion of the rear surface of the front orreflective element portion is exposed when the display element portionis at least partially extended or moved toward its extended position.

As can be seen in FIGS. 30, 33, and 35-50, by providing the attachmentof the display screen device at the rear of the mirror casing (and notreceived within the mirror casing), the height of the display screendevice may be substantially the same as the height of the mirror casing,so as to provide a uniform height or substantially uniform height alongthe entire length of the mirror assembly and display screen, even whenthe display screen is fully extended (and especially with side-mounteduser interfaces/buttons, such as discussed below). The mirror assemblythus may obviate the addition of a lower perimeter or chin portion ofthe mirror casing, since a greater height of the mirror casing is notneeded for receiving the display screen within the mirror casing, andhence, forward field of view is enhanced.

In such low profile mirror embodiments, the user input or inputs may bepositioned at other locations around the perimeter of the reflectiveelement of the mirror assembly or at the reflective element or the like,without affecting the scope of the present invention. For example, anddesirably, a user input 419 of a mirror assembly 410 (FIGS. 35 and 36)may be located at a side perimeter region 412 a of mirror casing 412,such as at the side region that is opposite from the end of the mirrorat which the display screen 418 extends. When the user actuatable inputor inputs are so positioned, the mirror assembly may comprise a lower orreduced profile mirror assembly (with a reduced vertical dimension whenthe mirror assembly is mounted in the vehicle). Optionally, furtherinputs or buttons may be provided at the display screen casing so as tobe accessible or actuatable when the display screen is extended outwardfor viewing by the driver or occupant of the vehicle.

Optionally, and as shown in FIGS. 37 and 38, the mirror assembly 410′may include a lower chin portion 412 a′ of casing 412′ for locating oneor more user inputs 419′ for access by a user of the mirror assembly410′, such as for manually activating or deactivating or controlling thedisplay screen device or module 418′. Optionally, and as shown in FIGS.39 and 40, a user input 419″ may be located at the reflective element416″ of mirror assembly 410″, whereby the user input 419″ may be a touchsensor or proximity sensor or the like, such as the types describedbelow. The user input 419″ may be located at the lower corner of thereflective element (as shown in FIGS. 39 and 40) and generally oppositefrom the end of the mirror assembly at which the display module 418″extends, or the user input may be located elsewhere at the reflectiveelement without affecting the scope of the present invention. The userinputs or buttons or the like may be actuatable to extend and retractthe display screen module or may control or adjust one or more otheraccessories or the like at or in or associated with the mirror assembly.

Optionally, and with reference to FIGS. 41-43, a video display screendevice 518 may include a frame or display screen casing 522 and adisplay screen 560 that are pivotally mounted to the casing 512 of amirror assembly 510. Frame 522 and the display screen may be pivotableabout a pivot axis 519 between a stored or non-use position, where thedisplay screen is at the rear of or within the mirror casing 512 (asshown in FIG. 42), and a use position, where display screen 560 is movedoutward from mirror casing 512 and is viewable by the driver or occupantof the vehicle (as shown in FIGS. 41 and 43). As can be seen in FIG. 42,frame or display screen casing 522 may be formed to define an exteriorcorner or rear portion of casing 512, such that mirror assembly 510provides a generally uniform exterior casing when the frame and displayscreen are pivoted to their non-use position. The end 522 a of frame ordisplay screen casing 522 may be rounded and a receiving portion 512 aof mirror casing 512 may be correspondingly rounded or curved (and witha radius of curvature approximately equal to the distance between theend 522 a of the frame and the pivot axis), such that the display screendevice may pivot between the use and non-use positions withoutinterfering with the mirror casing. By pivotally mounting the videodisplay at the rear portion of the mirror casing, the video display andmirror casing may provide a lower profile mirror assembly, since a rearportion of the casing need not encompass or encase the video display.

Video display screen device 518 and mirror assembly 510 may otherwise besubstantially similar to the video display screen devices and mirrorassemblies discussed above with respect to FIGS. 1-18, such that adetailed discussion of the display screen devices and mirror assemblieswill not be repeated herein. The frame and display screen may bemanually pivoted or automatically or electronically pivoted between theuse and non-use positions, such as in response to an activating event orthe like, such as described above. The display screen device may bepositioned at the driver side of the mirror assembly or at the passengerside of the mirror assembly, without affecting the scope of the presentinvention. However, it is preferable to have the display screenpositioned at, and to extend outward when extended from the passengerside of the rearview mirror assembly when the rearview mirror assemblyis installed in the vehicle, as this is less intrusive to the driver'sforward field of view.

Alternately, the video display screen device may include a frame anddisplay screen that are pivotally mounted to a mirror casing andpivotable about a generally vertical pivot axis, or the video displayscreen device may include a frame and display screen that are pivotallymounted to a mirror casing via a pivotable or jointed arm or member orthe like, such as the types of video display screen devices described inPCT Application No. PCT/US03/40611, filed Dec. 19, 2003, and publishedJul. 15, 2004 as International Publication No. WO 2004/058540, and/orU.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/538,724, filed Jun. 13, 2005, andpublished Mar. 9, 2006 as U.S. Publication No. 2006/0050018, which arehereby incorporated herein by reference.

Optionally, aspects of the present invention may be utilized in a mirrorassembly with a fixed or non-movable display screen at Or near thereflective element of the mirror assembly. For example, and withreference to FIG. 44, a mirror assembly 610 may include a display screen660 at a side region of the reflective element 616 (such as at apassenger side region of the reflective element when the mirror assemblyis installed in a vehicle). The display screen 660 may comprise an LCDtype display screen of the types described above. Optionally, thedisplay screen 660 may be located behind a transflective reflectiveelement so as to be viewable through the reflective element when thedisplay screen is activated, but to be substantially non-viewable ornon-discernible when viewing the reflective element when the displayscreen is not activated. In such an embodiment, it is desirable that thedisplay screen be substantially non-viewable or non-discernible when itis not in use, but that it also be substantially viewable when in use,even in high ambient lighting conditions, such as are typicallyencountered on a sunny day. Thus, a polarizing transflective element maybe implemented at the reflective element to substantially polarize thepolarized light emitted from the display screen while substantiallyreflecting other light incident on the reflective element, such as otherlight from the rear of the vehicle (such as by utilizing aspects of thepolarizing element described in U.S. provisional application Ser. No.60/732,245, filed Nov. 1, 2005 by Weller for INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRRORASSEMBLY WITH DISPLAY, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

Optionally, the non-movable display screen may be separated from theviewable reflective element of the mirror assembly, such as by a dividerelement or the like that may extend generally vertically across thefront of the mirror assembly to separate or demarcate the separation ofthe display screen and reflective element. For example, and withreference to FIGS. 45 and 46, a display screen 660′ may be located at apassenger side or end of a mirror assembly 610′, while the reflectiveelement 616′ is toward the driver side or end of the mirror assembly610′ and separated from the display screen 660′ by a dividing element617′. The display screen 660′ may be exposed at the mirror assembly fordirect viewing by a driver of the vehicle, or the display screen 660′may be located behind a reflective element portion or other glass orplastic element or cover, depending on the particular application of themirror assembly. Optionally, and as shown in FIG. 46, the dividerelement 617″ may include a perimeter frame portion or element 617 a″that surrounds or substantially surrounds or frames the display screen660′. As shown in FIG. 46, the display screen 660′ may be operable inconnection with a navigational system of the vehicle, and may displaydirections or route instructions to the driver, such as in the mannerdescribed above.

The interior rearview mirror assembly includes a mounting portion 36(FIGS. 1-5, 9, 31, 32, 34, 42 and 43), which may be mounted to thevehicle to provide pivotal movement of the mirror casing and reflectiveelement relative to the vehicle. The mounting portion may be mounted tothe vehicle, such as to an interior surface of the vehicle windshield orto a header portion of the vehicle or the like, via any mounting arm ormounting arrangement, such as the types disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.5,671,996; 5,813,745; 5,673,994; 5,820,097; 5,708,410; 5,576,687;5,521,760; 5,330,149; 5,100,095; 5,058,851; 4,930,742; 4,936,533;4,436,371; 4,524,941; 4,435,042; and/or 4,646,210; and/or U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/226,628, filed Sep. 14, 2005, and published onMar. 23, 2006 as U.S. Patent Publication No. 2006/0061008; and/or PCTApplication No. PCT/US2004/015424, filed May 18, 2004 by Donnelly Corp.et al. for MIRROR ASSEMBLY FOR VEHICLE, and published on Dec. 2, 2004,as International Publication No. WO 2004/103772; and/or U.S. provisionalapplication Ser. No. 60/729,430, filed Oct. 21, 2005 by Hook forMOUNTING ASSEMBLY FOR VEHICLE INTERIOR MIRROR, which are herebyincorporated by reference herein, without affecting the scope of thepresent invention. Desirably, the mounting arm and ball and socketarrangement provide enhanced torque at the pivot joints to limit orreduce pivotal movement of the mirror casing, in order to accommodatethe additional weight of the display screen and/or the movement of thedisplay screen relative to the mirror casing.

Preferably, the mounting arrangement provides a breakawaycharacteristic, such as a breakaway mount such as the types disclosed inU.S. Pat. Nos. 5,820,097 and/or 5,100,095, which are hereby incorporatedherein by reference. Preferably, the display screen also provides abreakaway characteristic so that the display screen may breakaway fromthe mirror assembly if impacted when in its extended or partiallyextended position. The mirror assembly and/or display screen may includebreakaway elements and/or breakaway means that allow the extended orextending or retracting display screen to break away from the mirrorassembly if impacted. For example, the display screen and/or mirrorassembly may include breakout pins, snaps, elements and/or breakoutportions or the like as known in the mechanical arts.

The interior rearview mirror assembly may include a bezel portion andcasing, such as described above, or the mirror assembly may compriseother types of casings or bezel portions or the like, such as describedin U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,439,755; 4,826,289; and 6,501,387; and/or PCTApplication No. PCT/US2004/015424, filed May 18, 2004 by Donnelly Corp.et al. for MIRROR ASSEMBLY FOR VEHICLE, and published on Dec. 2, 2004,as International Publication No. WO 2004/103772; and/or U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/933,842, filed Sep. 3, 2004 by Kulas et al. forINTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLY, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,249,860; and/orSer. No. 10/993,302, filed Nov. 19, 2004 by Lynam for MIRROR REFLECTIVEELEMENT FOR A VEHICLE, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,338,177; and/or U.S.provisional application Ser. No. 60/525,952, filed Nov. 26, 2003 byLynam for MIRROR REFLECTIVE ELEMENT FOR A VEHICLE, which are all herebyincorporated herein by reference, without affecting the scope of thepresent invention. For example, the mirror assembly may comprise a flushor frameless or bezelless reflective element, such as the typesdescribed in PCT Application No. PCT/US2004/015424, filed May 18, 2004by Donnelly Corp. et al. for MIRROR ASSEMBLY FOR VEHICLE, and publishedon Dec. 2, 2004, as International Publication No. WO 2004/103772; PCTApplication No. PCT/US03/35381, filed Nov. 5, 2003 by Donnelly Corp. etal. for ELECTRO-OPTIC REFLECTIVE ELEMENT ASSEMBLY, and published May 21,2004 as International Publication No. WO 2004/042457; and/or in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 11/140,396, filed May 27, 2005, now U.S.Pat. No. 7,360,932; Ser. No. 11/226,628, filed Sep. 14, 2005, andpublished on Mar. 23, 2006 as U.S. Patent Publication No. 2006/0061008;Ser. No. 11/021,065, filed Dec. 23, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,255,451;Ser. No. 10/528,269, filed Mar. 17, 2005, now U.S. Pato No. 7,274,501;Ser. No. 10/533,762, filed May 4, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,184,190;and/or Ser. No. 10/538,724, filed Jun. 13, 2005, and published Mar. 9,2006 as U.S. Publication No. 2006/0050018; and/or in U.S. provisionalapplications, Ser. No. 60/563,342, filed Apr. 19, 2004 by Bareman et al.for METHOD OF MANUFACTURING ELECTRO-OPTIC MIRROR CELL; Set No.60/629,926, filed Nov. 22, 2004 by McCabe et al. for METHOD OFMANUFACTURING ELECTRO-OPTIC MIRROR CELL; Ser. No. 60/624,320, filed Nov.2, 2004 by Uken for MIRROR ASSEMBLY FOR VEHICLE; Ser. No. 60/681,250,filed May 16, 2005; Ser, No. 60/690,400, filed Jun. 14, 2005; Ser. No.60/695,149, filed Jun. 29, 2005; and/or Ser. No. 60/730,334, filed Oct.26, 2005 by Baur for VEHICLE MIRROR ASSEMBLY WITH INDICIA AT REFLECTIVEELEMENT, which are all hereby incorporated herein by reference.

Optionally, the mirror assembly may comprise a modular mirrorconstruction, and may include back housing portions or the like, such ascap portions of the types described in PCT Application No.PCT/US2004/015424, filed May 18, 2004 by Donnelly Corporation et al. forMIRROR ASSEMBLY FOR VEHICLE, and published on Dec. 2, 2004, asInternational Publication No. WO 2004/103772, which is herebyincorporated herein by reference. The display screen may be provided asa modular display screen and may be mountable or installable in theappropriate or suitable mirror casing to provide a modular mirrorassembly and display screen. For example, a rear casing or cap portionmay include the display screen module including the associatedcomponents, such as the rails and motor and the like, and may beattachable to a reflective element and/or bezel portion to assemble themodular mirror assembly. The display screen module thus may be providedas an optional component or accessory for a vehicle, and may be readilyassembled to a common reflective element and/or bezel portion of themirror assembly.

Optionally, the mirror casing and/or reflective element, and/or thedisplay screen casing and/or display screen may include customized orpersonalized viewable characteristics, such as color or symbols orindicia selected by the vehicle manufacturer or owner of the vehicle,such as the customization characteristics described in PCT ApplicationNo. PCT/US2004/015424, filed May 18, 2004 by Donnelly Corporation et al.for MIRROR ASSEMBLY FOR VEHICLE, and published on Dec. 2, 2004, asInternational Publication No. WO 2004/103772; and/or U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/243,783, filed Oct. 5, 2005; and/or Ser. No.11/021,065, filed Dec. 23, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,255,451; and/orU.S. provisional applications, Ser. No. 60/553,842, filed Mar. 17, 2004;Ser. No. 60/563,342, filed Apr. 19, 2004; Ser. No. 60/629,926, filedNov. 22, 2004 by McCabe et al. for METHOD OF MANUFACTURING ELECTRO-OPTICMIRROR CELL; Ser. No. 60/681,250, filed May 16, 2005; Ser. No.60/690,400, filed Jun. 14, 2005; Ser. No. 60/695,149, filed Jun. 29,2005; Ser. No. 60/730,334, filed Oct. 26, 2005 by Baur for VEHICLEMIRROR ASSEMBLY WITH INDICIA AT REFLECTIVE ELEMENT; and/or Ser. No.60/616,182, filed Oct. 5, 2004 by Dubay et al. for WINDOW AND SUN SHADEMODULE FOR VEHICLE, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.For example, the frame or casing of the display module and/or the mirrorassembly may be selected to have a desired color or combination ofcolors (or text or print or indicia thereon) to personalize theappearance of the mirror assembly. Optionally, the reflective elementmay include text or symbols or icons or other characters or indicia toprovide a desired appearance or message at the mirror assembly ordisplay screen, such as by utilizing aspects of the mirror assemblydescribed in PCT Application No. PCT/US2004/015424, filed May 18, 2004by Donnelly Corporation et al. for MIRROR ASSEMBLY FOR VEHICLE, andpublished on Dec. 2, 2004, as International Publication No. WO2004/103772; and/or U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/243,783, filedOct. 5, 2005; and/or U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/616,182,filed Oct. 5, 2004 by Dubay et al. for WINDOW AND SUN SHADE MODULE FORVEHICLE, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. The icons orcharacters or indicia may be formed at or near or on the display screen,or may be provided via graphic overlays when the display screen isextended and operating, or may otherwise be formed or provided at or onor in the display screen casing or frame, without affecting the scope ofthe present invention. Optionally, the bezel or frame color or colorsmay be selected to be designer colors or may match or contrast the colorof the mirror casing, and/or may have logos or icons or other indiciathereon. Optionally, the display screen module may include warnings orother statements or alerts or messages printed or otherwise formed onthe bezel or frame portion of the display screen so that the messages orthe like are readily viewable when the display screen is extended.

The interior rearview mirror assembly may comprise a prismatic mirrorassembly or a non-electro-optic mirror assembly or an electro-optic orelectrochromic mirror assembly. For example, the interior rearviewmirror assembly may comprise a prismatic mirror assembly, such as thetypes described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,318,870; 6,598,980; 5,327,288;4,948,242; 4,826,289; 4,436,371; and 4,435,042; and PCT Application No.PCT/US2004/015424, filed May 18, 2004 by Donnelly Corporation et al. forMIRROR ASSEMBLY FOR VEHICLE, and published on Dec. 2, 2004, asInternational Publication No. WO 2004/103772; and U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/933,842, filed Sep. 3, 2004 by Kulas et al. forINTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLY, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,249,860, whichare hereby incorporated herein by reference. Optionally, the prismaticreflective element may comprise a conventional prismatic reflectiveelement or prism or may comprise a prismatic reflective element of thetypes described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/528,269, filedMar. 17, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,274,501; Ser. No. 10/709,434, filedMay 5, 2004 by Lynam for MIRROR REFLECTIVE ELEMENT, now U.S. Pat. No.7,420,756; Ser. No. 10/933,842, filed Sep. 3, 2004 by Kulas et al. forINTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLY, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,249,860; Ser. No.11/021,065, filed Dec. 23, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,255,451; and/orSer. No. 10/993,302, filed Nov. 19, 2004 by Lynam for MIRROR REFLECTIVEELEMENT FOR A VEHICLE, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,338,177; and/or PCTApplication No. PCT/US03/29776, filed Sep. 19, 2003 by Donnelly Corp. etal. for MIRROR REFLECTIVE ELEMENT ASSEMBLY, and published Apr. 1, 2004as International Publication No. WO 2004/026633; and/or PCT ApplicationNo. PCT/US2004/015424, filed May 18, 2004 by Donnelly Corporation et al.for MIRROR ASSEMBLY FOR VEHICLE, and published on Dec. 2, 2004, asInternational Publication No. WO 2004/103772; and U.S. provisionalapplication Ser. No. 60/525,952, filed Nov. 26, 2003 by Lynam for MIRRORREFLECTIVE ELEMENT FOR A VEHICLE, which are all hereby incorporatedherein by reference, without affecting the scope of the presentinvention. A variety of mirror accessories and constructions are knownin the art, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,555,136;5,582,383; 5,680,263; 5,984,482; 6,227,675; 6,229,319; and 6,315,421(the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by referenceherein), that can benefit from the present invention.

Optionally, the mirror assembly may comprise an electro-optic orelectrochromic mirror assembly and may include an electro-optic orelectrochromic reflective element. The electrochromic mirror element ofthe electrochromic mirror assembly may utilize the principles disclosedin commonly assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,690,268; 5,140,455; 5,151,816;6,178,034; 6,154,306; 6,002,544; 5,567,360; 5,525,264; 5,610,756;5,406,414; 5,253,109; 5,076,673; 5,073,012; 5,117,346; 5,724,187;5,668,663; 5,910,854; 5,142,407 and/or 4,712,879, which are herebyincorporated herein by reference, and/or as disclosed in the followingpublications: N. R. Lynam, “Electrochromic Automotive Day/NightMirrors”, SAE Technical Paper Series 870636 (1987); N. R. Lynam, “SmartWindows for Automobiles”, SAE Technical Paper Series 900419 (1990); N.R. Lynam and A. Agrawal, “Automotive Applications of ChromogenicMaterials”, Large Area Chromogenics: Materials and Devices forTransmittance Control, C. M. Lampert and C. G. Granquist, EDS., OpticalEngineering Press, Wash. (1990), which are hereby incorporated byreference herein; and/or as described in U.S. patent application Ser.No. 10/054,633, filed Jan. 22, 2002 by Lynam et al. for VEHICULARLIGHTING SYSTEM, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,195,381, which are herebyincorporated herein by reference. Optionally, the electrochromiccircuitry and/or a glare sensor (such as a rearward facing glare sensorthat receives light from rearward of the mirror assembly and vehiclethrough a port or opening along the casing and/or bezel portion and/orreflective element of the mirror assembly) and circuitry and/or anambient light sensor and circuitry may be provided on one or morecircuit boards of the mirror assembly. The mirror assembly may includeone or more other displays, such as the types disclosed in U.S. Pat.Nos. 5,530,240 and/or 6,329,925, which are hereby incorporated herein byreference, and/or display-on-demand transflective type displays, such asthe types disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,668,663; 5,724,187 and/or6,690,268, and/or in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/054,633, filedJan. 22, 2002 by Lynam et al. for VEHICULAR LIGHTING SYSTEM, now U.S.Pat. No. 7,195,381; Ser. No. 11/021,065, filed Dec. 23, 2004, now U.S.Pat. No. 7,255,451; Ser. No. 11/226,628, filed Sep. 14, 2005, andpublished on Mar. 23, 2006 as U.S. Patent Publication No. 2006/0061008;and/or Ser. No. 10/538,724, filed Jun. 13, 2005, and published Mar. 9,2006 as U.S. Publication No. 2006/0050018; Ser. No. 10/528,269, filedMar. 17, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,274,501; and/or Ser. No. 10/533,762,filed May 4, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,184,190, and/or PCT ApplicationNo. PCT/US03/29776, filed Sep. 9, 2003 by Donnelly Corp. et al. forMIRROR REFLECTIVE ELEMENT ASSEMBLY, and published Apr. 1, 2004 asInternational Publication No. WO 2004/026633, which are all herebyincorporated herein by reference. The thicknesses and materials of thecoatings on the substrates, such as on the third surface of thereflective element assembly, may be selected to provide a desired coloror tint to the mirror reflective element, such as a blue coloredreflector, such as is known in the art and such as described in U.S.Pat. Nos. 5,910,854 and 6,420,036, and in U.S. patent application Ser.No. 10/528,269, filed Mar. 17, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,274,501, and inPCT Application No. PCT/US03/29776, filed Sep. 9, 2003 by Donnelly Corp.et al. for MIRROR REFLECTIVE ELEMENT ASSEMBLY, and published Apr. 1,2004 as International Publication No. WO 2004/026633, which are allhereby incorporated herein by reference.

Optionally, the mirror assembly and/or prismatic or electrochromicreflective element may include one or more displays, such as for theaccessories or circuitry described herein. The displays may be similarto those described above, or may be of types disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.5,530,240 and/or 6,329,925, which are hereby incorporated herein byreference, and/or may be display-on-demand or transflective typedisplays, such as the types disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,690,298;5,668,663 and/or 5,724,187, and/or in U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/054,633, filed Jan. 22, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,195,381; Ser. No.11/226,628, filed Sep. 14, 2005 by Karner et al., and published on Mar.23, 2006 as U.S. Patent Publication No. 2006/0061008; and/or Ser. No.10/993,302, filed Nov. 19, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,338,177; and/or inU.S. provisional applications, Ser. No. 60/525,952, filed Nov. 26, 2003by Lynam for MIRROR REFLECTIVE ELEMENT FOR A VEHICLE; Ser. No.60/717,093, filed Sep. 14, 2005 by-Lynam; and/or Ser. No. 60/732,245,filed Nov. 1, 2005 by Weller for INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLY WITHDISPLAY, and/or in PCT Application No. PCT/US03/29776, filed Sep. 19,2003 by Donnelly Corp. et al. for MIRROR REFLECTIVE ELEMENT ASSEMBLY,and published Apr. 1, 2004 as International Publication No. WO2004/026633, which are all hereby incorporated herein by reference.Optionally, a prismatic reflective element may comprise a display ondemand or transflective prismatic element (such as described in PCTApplication No. PCT/US03/29776, filed Sep. 19, 2003 by Donnelly Corp. etal. for MIRROR REFLECTIVE ELEMENT ASSEMBLY, and published Apr. 1, 2004as International Publication No. WO 2004/026633; and/or U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/993,302, filed Nov. 19, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No.7,338,177; and/or U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/525,952,filed Nov. 26, 2003 by Lynam for MIRROR REFLECTIVE ELEMENT FOR AVEHICLE, which are all hereby incorporated herein by reference) so thatthe displays are viewable through the reflective element, while thedisplay area still functions to substantially reflect light, in order toprovide a generally uniform prismatic reflective element even in theareas that have display elements positioned behind the reflectiveelement.

Optionally, the display and any associated user inputs may be associatedwith various accessories or systems, such as, for example, a tirepressure monitoring system or a passenger air bag status or a garagedoor opening system or a telematics system or any other accessory orsystem of the mirror assembly or of the vehicle or of an accessorymodule or console of the vehicle, such as an accessory module or consoleof the types described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,690,268; 6,672,744;6,386,742; and 6,124,886, and/or U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/739,766, filed Dec. 18, 2003 by DeLine et al. for MODULAR REARVIEWMIRROR ASSEMBLY, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,877,888; and/or Ser. No.10/355,454, filed Jan. 31, 2003 by Schofield et al. for VEHICLEACCESSORY MODULE, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,824,281, and/or PCT ApplicationNo. PCT/US03/03012, filed Jan. 31, 2003 by Donnelly Corporation forVEHICLE ACCESSORY MODULE, and published Aug. 7, 2003 as InternationalPublication No. WO 03/065084, and/or PCT Application No. PCT/US03/40611,filed Dec. 19, 2003 by Donnelly Corporation for ACCESSORY SYSTEM FORVEHICLE, and published Jul. 15, 2004 as International Publication No. WO2004/058540, and/or PCT Application No. PCT/US04/15424, filed May 18,2004 by Donnelly Corporation et al. for MIRROR ASSEMBLY FOR VEHICLE, andpublished on Dec. 2, 2004, as International Publication No. WO2004/103772, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

Optionally, and with reference to FIGS. 6 and 15, the mirror assemblymay include a user actuatable input or inputs 15 to activate ordeactivate or adjust one or more accessories of the mirror assembly oraccessory module or console or of the vehicle. The inputs 15 may bepositioned at the mirror casing 12 or bezel portion 14 of the mirrorassembly where they may be readily accessible by the driver or occupantof the vehicle. The inputs may comprise push buttons or the like ortouch sensitive elements or sensors or proximity sensors or the likethat may be selectably touched or depressed or approached toactivate/deactivate/adjust the accessory or accessories, as discussedbelow. Optionally, similar user inputs 76 (FIG. 15) may be provided atthe frame portion or bezel portion 72 b of the display screen 18′ foractivation/deactivation or control of one or more functions or featuresof the display screen and/or associated accessories or systems. Theinputs may be on the frame of the display screen and around the displayscreen or elsewhere on the display screen module, such as on the displayscreen panel.

Optionally, and desirably, the user inputs may comprise one or moretouch sensitive elements or touch sensors or proximity sensorspositioned along the plastic mirror portion, such as the plastic casingor plastic bezel portion of the mirror assembly. The touch sensors orproximity sensors may be molded into the plastic mirror portion when theplastic mirror portion is formed or may be positioned in pockets withinthe plastic casing or plastic bezel portion, such that touching orapproaching the plastic mirror portion with a finger or the like in theregion where the touch sensor is positioned will actuate the touchsensor to provide the desired control function. The touch sensor thusmay provide control or adjustment of one or more accessories, withoutthe mechanical components and costs associated with known mechanicalbuttons and switches and the like. The touch sensors may be associatedwith or electrically connected to circuitry or a printed circuit boardof the mirror assembly or of the vehicle or of an accessory module orconsole or the like of the vehicle or mirror assembly, whereby actuationof the touch sensor or sensors causes a corresponding activation ordeactivation or adjustment or control of a desired or associatedaccessory or function, as also discussed below.

The touch sensitive elements or touch sensors or proximity sensors mayutilize aspects of touch sensitive elements of the types described inU.S. Pat. Nos. 5,594,222; 6,001,486; 6,310,611; 6,320,282; and6,627,918, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/817,874, filed Mar.26, 2001 by Quist et al. for INTERACTIVE AUTOMOTIVE REARVISION SYSTEM,now U.S. Pat. No. 7,224,324, which are hereby incorporated herein byreference, or may comprise proximity sensors of the types described inU.S. Pat. Publication No. 2002/0044065, published Apr. 18, 2002 by Quistet al. for INTERACTIVE AUTOMOTIVE REARVISION SYSTEM, now U.S. Pat. No.7,224,324; and/or U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/933,842, filedSep. 3, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,249,860; Ser. No. 10/538,724, filedJun. 13, 2005, and published Mar. 9, 2006 as U.S. Publication No.2006/0050018; and/or Ser. No. 10/956,749, filed Oct. 1, 2004, now U.S.Pat. No. 7,446,924; and/or PCT Application No. PCT/US03/40611, filedDec. 19, 2003 by Donnelly Corp. et al. for ACCESSORY SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE,and published Jul. 15, 2004 as International Publication No. WO2004/058540, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference, or maycomprise inputs molded within the bezel of the mirror assembly, such asdescribed in U.S. provisional applications, Ser. No. 60/535,559, filedJan. 9, 2004 by Lindahl for MIRROR ASSEMBLY; and/or Ser. No. 60/553,517,filed Mar. 16, 2004 by Lindahl et al. for MIRROR ASSEMBLY, which arehereby incorporated herein by reference, or may comprise membrane typeswitches, such as described in U.S. provisional applications, Ser. No.60/575,904, filed Jun. 1, 2004 by Uken for MIRROR ASSEMBLY FOR VEHICLE;and/or Ser. No. 60/624,320, filed Nov. 2, 2004 by Uken for MIRRORASSEMBLY FOR VEHICLE, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference;and/or the like, without affecting the scope of the present invention.For example, the membrane type inputs or buttons or switches may beplaced at the reflective element of the mirror assembly or may be placedat or on the display screen of the extendable/retractable display screendevice or module.

For example, the proximity sensor may comprise a capacitive proximitysensor that is operable to detect a capacitive disturbance or electricfield detection or disturbance at or near the sensor when an object,such as a person's finger or the like, enters the electric field at thesensor. The proximity sensor may detect such a presence withoutrequiring actual contact with the person's finger, and may detect thepresence of the person's finger when the person's finger is within a fewmillimeters of the sensor, such as within approximately 3 mm or about 1mm or closer. Optionally, the touch sensitive element may comprise asensor of the types commercially available from TouchSensorTechnologies, LLC of Wheaton, Ill. For example, the sensor may beoperable to generate an electric field and to detect the presence of aconductive mass entering the field. When a voltage is applied to thesensor, the sensor generates the electric field, which emanates throughany dielectric material, such as glass or plastic or the like (such asthrough the plastic bezel portion or the plastic casing of the mirrorassembly or through the reflective element), at the sensor. When aconductive mass (such as a person's finger or the like, or metal or thelike) enters the electric field, the sensor may detect a change in thefield and may indicate such a detection, such as by closing a switchcontact or the like.

Optionally, a proximity or touch sensor at the mirror assembly ordisplay screen module may utilize an infrared (IR) transmitter/receiverto detect a person's finger (or other object) close to the mirror bezelor display screen frame (or elsewhere if desired) and trigger oractivate/deactivate or adjust/control an accessory or function or thelike in response to such detection. The IR transmitter/receiver, suchas, for example, an integrated high efficiency IR emitter and photodiode device, such as an Agilent HSDL-9100 Miniature Surface-MountProximity Sensor commercially available from Agilent Technologies, Inc.,may be positioned at or embedded in or behind the bezel or frameportion. The material of the bezel or frame portion may encompass orpartially encompass the emitter and receiver and may comprise an opaquematerial that is at least partially transmissive to allow the IRradiation to pass therethrough. Optionally, the bezel or frame portionmay include icons or indicia or may be formed as “finger cups” (withindentations or raised portions to define or demarcate the location ofthe sensors) to identify the sensors so that they are discernible to thedriver or occupant of the vehicle.

The sensor may be implemented at the mirror assembly without requiringany new interface designs and with no need for electronic modificationof a mirror assembly designed for conventional electromechanical buttonsor switches. Because the touch sensitive elements or sensors have nomoving parts to wear out, such touch sensitive elements may provideenhanced durability and longer life cycles over conventional mechanicalswitches.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 15, the touch sensors or proximity sensors maybe positioned along, such as by being embedded in the bezel materialand/or being positioned behind the bezel portion of the mirror assembly(and/or at or around the frame portion of the display screen), where auser may touch or approach the sensor or sensors to activate/deactivateor control or adjust the associated accessory or function. By having thetouch sensors or proximity sensors in and/or physically behind theplastic material of the mirror portion, the presence of the sensor neednot necessarily be readily visible to or discernable to the driverand/or occupant of the vehicle. Optionally, the sensors may includedemarcations or printing or the like to be visible or discernible to auser, or the sensors may be positioned within or behind the bezelportion (or elsewhere at the mirror assembly or display screen oraccessory module or console or the like) with no readily visible ordiscernible demarcations to indicate their presence. For example, thebezel portion at the proximity/touch sensors may be color coded or mayhave icons or indicia or text or the like printed or screened thereon,or the sensors may be positioned at raised moldings or the like at thebezel or may be at respective illumination sources or the like to makethe location of the sensors known to a user. Alternately, the locationof the sensors may be substantially not readily visible or discernibleat the mirror assembly, without affecting the scope of the presentinvention. In such applications where the locations of theproximity/touch sensors are not readily known or observed or discerned,it may be desirable to provide a display or displays along thereflective element at or above the sensors to indicate to the user thelocation and function of the proximity/touch sensors, as discussedbelow.

Likewise, in order to provide feedback to the user to indicate that theuser successfully actuated the touch sensor or proximity sensor, it isenvisioned that an illumination source, such as a light emitting diode(LED) or the like, may be positioned at or adjacent to a respectivetouch sensor, and may be energized or may glow when the touch sensor isactuated. The illumination source may be molded into the plastic bezelor frame portion (such as the plastic bezel portion or the plasticcasing at which the touch sensor is positioned) or may be embedded orpositioned in a pocket formed in the plastic bezel or frame portion. Theplastic bezel or frame portion may have a thin plastic wall at theregion of the illumination source, such that the glowing illuminationsource may be visible through the thin plastic wall when the touchsensor is successfully actuated.

Optionally, one or more touch sensors or proximity sensors may bepositioned along the bezel portion of the mirror assembly, and themirror assembly may include one or more displays 15 a (FIG. 6), such asdisplay on demand transflective type of displays, at the reflectiveelement (and/or at or around the display screen) generally at or near orabove the touch sensors. The display or displays may be operable todisplay an icon or character or text or indicia or the like that isassociated with the function of the respective touch sensor when thetouch sensor is actuated. The display thus may provide an indication ofthe function of the touch sensor and/or may provide an indication thatthe user successfully actuated the touch sensor. For example, if a touchsensor functions to activate and deactivate an accessory, such as, forexample, a passenger side inflatable restraint (PSIR), an icon such as“PSIR on” may be energized or backlit or the like when the touch sensoris actuated to indicate that the PSIR is activated, and an icon such as“PSIR off” may be energized or backlit or the like when the touch sensoris actuated a second time to indicate that the PSIR is deactivated. Thedisplay icons or indicia may be energized or backlit for a period oftime following the actuation of the touch sensor and then may bedeactivated. If the touch sensors provide a specific function orcontrol, the plastic mirror portion may have an icon or indicia or thelike printed thereon that corresponds to the function of the respectivetouch sensor, and the display may then be activated to provideconfirmation of a successful actuation of the touch sensor.

Optionally, and desirably, multiple touch sensors or proximity sensorsmay be positioned along the bezel portion of the mirror assembly and/oralong the bezel or frame portion of the display screen, and the mirrorassembly and/or display screen may include one or more displays, such asdisplay on demand transflective types of displays, at the reflectiveelement and/or display screen and generally at or near or above thetouch sensors (or elsewhere at the reflective element). The touchsensors may control one or more accessories or functions and thefunction of the touch sensors may change in response to user selectionsbased on a menu driven display. For example, the display or displays mayinitially be operable to display icons or characters or text or indiciathat are associated with initial or selected functions of the touchsensors, and then may be operable to display a second level or set oficons or characters or text or indicia that are associated with aselected second level or set of functions of the touch sensors. Themirror assembly thus may provide a menu driven control system, wherebythe function or functions of the touch sensors may change or may bereconfigured depending on what initial function is selected or isdisplayed on the reflective element.

For example, the touch sensors may initially correspond to a particularor respective accessory or control function and a user may first actuateone of the touch sensors to cause a display to show a selectablefunction or functions associated with the particular accessory, such asmultiple functions pertaining to the particular accessory. For example,one of the touch sensors may be actuatable to control or adjust acompass system and display, whereby the display may show functions orcontrols for the compass system at respective ones of the touch sensors,such as “on” at one of the touch sensors, “off” at another one of thetouch sensors, “cal” at another touch sensor (for calibrating thecompass system or manually activating a calibration mode of the compasssystem), “zone” at another touch sensor (for changing the zone of thecompass system), and/or the like. After touching the “compass” touchsensor to actuate the compass menu, the user may then actuate anappropriate touch sensor associated with the desired function. The useractuatable control or input thus provides two or more levels ofcontrols, where the first level (or first actuation of one of the touchsensors) causes the display to show the second level of associatedcontrol functions and causes the function of the touch sensors to changecorresponding to what is displayed at the reflective element. The touchsensors may then toggle the desired function or may adjust the desiredfunction or may select a third level of menus or functions for the touchsensors to control or adjust.

Optionally, an initial actuation of any one of the touch sensors orproximity sensors causes the display to display or indicate the initialor default function of the touch sensors, such as “compass”;“temperature”, “PSIR”, “clock”, “lights”, and/or the like for the userto select to switch the display and touch sensors to the desired controllevel. For example, a user may initially actuate any of the touchsensors to view a display of their initial or default functions and thenmay selectably actuate the touch sensor at the “lights” icon, wherebythe display may display different lights to activate/deactivate, suchas, for example, “map” (for activating/deactivating map reading lightsof the mirror assembly or of an accessory console or overhead system orconsole or of the vehicle), “ceiling” or “console” (foractivating/deactivating ceiling lights of the vehicle or of an accessoryconsole or overhead system or console), “rear seat” (foractivating/deactivating lights that illuminate the rear seat of thevehicle, such as for a baby view camera or the like, such as describedin U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,877,897 and/or 6,690,268, which are herebyincorporated herein by reference), “door” (for activating/deactivatinglights in the vehicle doors), and/or other lights of the mirror assemblyor an accessory module or an accessory console or overhead system orconsole or of the vehicle.

Optionally, the intensity or brightness of the display or displaysand/or the brightness and contrast of the display screen may beautomatically adjusted in response to an ambient light sensor or glaredetector, such as a sensor of the interior rearview mirror assembly orvehicle or of a console or module or the like, such as the typesdisclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,793,690 and/or 5,193,029, which are herebyincorporated herein by reference, without affecting the scope of thepresent invention. In applications where the mirror reflective elementassembly comprises an electro-optic or electrochromic mirror reflectiveelement assembly, the displays and/or display screen may beautomatically adjusted in response to the ambient light sensor or glaredetector associated with the electro-optic or electrochromic circuitryor system. The display intensity of the displays and/or display screenmay be adjusted in response to the photo sensor or light sensor (such asa photo sensor 80 (FIGS. 15 and 20-27) at the bezel of the mirrorassembly and directed rearwardly toward the rear of the vehicle), andmay be increased during daytime lighting conditions and reduced at duskor during nighttime lighting conditions. The intensity of the displaysand/or display screen may be substantially continuously adjusted or maybe adjusted in steps in response to the light sensor or sensors, such asby utilizing aspects of the displays described in U.S. Pat. Nos.5,416,313 and 5,285,060, which are hereby incorporated herein byreference, or may be adjusted when the touch sensors are actuated.

Optionally, and for mirror assemblies having electro-optic reflectiveelement assemblies or cells, such as electrochromic reflective elementassemblies, the mirror assembly may include an indicator or indicatorsor displays that function to indicate to the driver or occupant of thevehicle that the electro-optic reflective element is energized oractivated or darkened or is dimming and that may function to indicatethe degree of energization or activation or darkening or dimming.Typically, it is difficult to readily determine whether or not anelectro-optic or electrochromic reflective element assembly is darkening(or otherwise reducing the reflectivity of light incident thereon),particularly during nighttime conditions and when rearward approachingheadlights are detected. Although an LED or other indicator may be usedto indicate that the electro-optic reflective element assembly isoperable (such as when the circuitry for driving or energizing thereflective element assembly is connected to the power source or the likeand thus is ready to activate or energize or darken the reflectiveelement assembly), such an indicator does not provide a furtherindication when the reflective element assembly is actually operating oractivated or energized or darkened (and is thus reducing thereflectivity of light incident on the reflective element as compared tothe non-energized or bleached state of the reflective element assemblyor cell).

Thus, it may be desirable to provide an indicator or display that isviewable by the driver and that indicates that the reflective elementassembly is operating or is energized or activated (and thus darkened ortinted or the like from its non-operating or non-energized ornon-activated or bleached state). Such an indicator or display mayprovide an enhancement of the perceived value of the electro-opticfeature to the driver or owner of the vehicle. Optionally, the indicatoror display may also provide an indication of the degree of energizationor activation or darkening or tinting of the reflective elementassembly. The present invention thus contemplates an affirmativeindicator or display that is readily viewable by, recognizable by andinterpretable by the driver, and that indicates the degree ofelectro-optic or electrochromic activity, such as when glaring rearwardapproaching headlights are detected under ambient driving conditions(and that cause the electro-optic circuitry to power or energize thereflective element assembly), and when the electro-optic circuitry thuspowers or energizes or activates or darkens the reflective elementassembly or cell to reduce the reflectivity of light incident on thereflective element assembly or cell.

For example, a mirror assembly of the present invention may include aseries of indicators, such as a series of light emitting diodes (LEDs)or the like, or a light bar or the like, positioned along the bezel ofthe mirror assembly (or elsewhere at or near the mirror assembly and/orreflective element, or behind the reflective element assembly and thusviewable through the reflective element or the like). The indicators maybe independently and/or sequentially activated in response to aparticular degree or threshold degree of activation of the reflectiveelement assembly. The indicators may be activated in a linear manner,where each subsequent indicator is activated after substantially similarchanges in the degree of darkening or activation or energization of thereflective element assembly, or more of a logarithmic manner (where thesubsequent indicators are activated after decreasing degrees of changein the degree of darkening or activation or energization of thereflective element assembly), in order to better match the driver'seye's response to the darkening or reduction in reflectivity of theelectro-optic or electrochromic reflective element assembly or cell.

For example, the mirror assembly may include five LEDs, where one of theLEDs may be activated in response to the electro-optic reflectiveelement assembly first being energized and providing a first thresholddegree of darkening or energization to reduce the reflectivity of lightincident on the reflective element assembly, and with each subsequent orsequential LED being activated in response to the degree of darkening orenergization reaching respective threshold levels. For example, thefirst LED or indicator may be activated or illuminated when theelectro-optic reflective element assembly is activated and provides adegree of darkening that reduces the reflectivity of light incident onthe reflective element to about 40 percent (typically, a bleached ornon-energized cell provides about 70 to 80 percent or thereaboutsreflectivity of light incident thereon). When the darkening increasesand thus reduces the reflectivity to about, for example, 20 percent, thesecond LED may also be illuminated. Likewise, the third LED may beactivated when the darkening increases and thus reduces the reflectivityof light incident on the reflective element to about, for example, 15percent, and the fourth LED may be activated when the darkeningincreases and thus reduces the reflectivity of light incident on thereflective element to about, for example, 10 percent, and finally, thefifth LED may be activated when the darkening increases and thus reducesthe reflectivity of light incident on the reflective element to about,for example, 5 percent.

Alternately, the LEDs may be activated in response to more of a linearchange in the reflectivity of the reflective element assembly, where anadditional LED is activated after an increase in darkening or decreasein reflectivity of light incident on the reflective element assemblythat is substantially the same for each indicator. For example, a firstLED may be activated when the reflectivity of light incident on thereflective element is reduced from about 80 percent to 65 percent, asecond LED may be activated when the reflectivity is reduced to about 50percent, a third LED may be activated when the reflectivity is reducedto about 35 percent, a fourth LED may be activated when the reflectivityis reduced to about 20 percent and a fifth LED may be activated when thereflectivity is reduced to about 5 percent. The indicators or displaymay be activated in response to other steps or intervals of darkening ofthe reflective element assembly or in response to different levels ordegrees of current applied across the conductive coatings or layers ofthe reflective element assembly reflectivity of light incident thereon,or in response to different levels of reflectivity of light incident onthe reflective element assembly, without affecting the scope of thepresent invention.

Although described as a series of illumination sources, such as LEDs orthe like, clearly other forms of indicators or displays may providesimilar indications to the driver of the vehicle, without affecting thescope of the present invention. For example, the indicator may comprisea light bar that may till up depending on the level of coloring ordarkening occurring (such as between zero percent and 100 percent) at orin the reflective element assembly. The light bar may be orientedgenerally horizontally, such as along the upper or lower bezel portionof the mirror assembly, or may be oriented generally vertically, such asalong one of the side bezel portions of the mirror assembly, or may bepositioned behind the reflective element and viewable therethrough,without affecting the scope of the present invention.

Optionally, a display on demand or transflective display may be providedthat provides an indication of the activation or energization of thereflective element assembly and degree thereof. Optionally, the seriesof indicators or light bar or display may be positioned behind thereflective element assembly (such as at a window formed in thereflective coating of the reflective element or behind a transflectivereflective element assembly) and viewable through the reflective elementassembly. Optionally, the intensity of the display or LEDs may bemodulated or adjusted so as to increase the intensity as more of thedisplay or LEDs are illuminated to provide enhanced viewing of thedisplay, particularly when the indicators or displays are viewed throughthe darkened reflective element assembly or cell. As each indicator isilluminated or as the display or indicator is adjusted to indicate anincrease in coloring or darkening or dimming of the reflective elementassembly, the intensity of the illuminated indicators or the display mayincrease to account for the increase in coloring or darkening of thereflective element assembly, such that the intensity of the indicatorsor display appears substantially unchanged to the driver of the vehicle(for example, the intensity of a first indicator in a linear indicatorarray increases when the electrochromic medium further dims such thatits adjacent second indicator illuminates; this is because the nowfurther light attenuating electrochromic medium would otherwise reducethe observed intensity of the first indicator). The displays orindicators or LEDs may be adjustable via circuitry utilizing aspects ofthe systems described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,530,240; 5,416,313; and5,285,060, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

Therefore, the mirror assembly of the present invention may provide anaffirmative indicator or series of indicators or display that is readilyviewable by, recognizable by and interpretable by the driver and thatindicates the degree of electro-optic or electrochromic activity of themirror assembly. The indicator or display may provide an indication ofinitial activity or activation or energization of the reflective elementassembly and may provide further indication of an increase inenergization or darkening of the reflective element assembly or adecrease in reflectivity of light incident thereon. Because such afeature may not be desirable to all drivers, the mirror assembly mayinclude a user interface or input or button or switch that allows a userto selectively deactivate or disable the function, such that theindicators or display will not be activated. Optionally, indicia may beformed at the conductive and reflective coatings of the reflectiveelement to indicate the darkening or dimming of the reflective element,such as by utilizing aspects described in U.S. provisional applications,Ser. No. 60/681,250, filed May 16, 2005; Ser. No. 60/690,400, filed Jun.14, 2005; Ser. No. 60/695,149, filed Jun. 29, 2005; and Ser. No.60/730,334, filed Oct. 26, 2005, which are all hereby incorporatedherein by reference.

Although shown and described as being positioned at the bezel or casingportion of the mirror assembly, it is envisioned that the touch sensorsor proximity sensors or elements and/or indicators or displays may bepositioned elsewhere at or on the mirror assembly and may be positionedat the reflective element of the mirror assembly, such as behind thereflective element (where the presence of a person's finger at or nearthe reflective element may actuate the touch sensor or proximitysensor), without affecting the scope of the present invention. Thereflective element assembly may comprises a display on demandtransflective display and may include such proximity sensors to functionas a touch screen (or proximity screen) for selecting or inputting thedesired functions or inputs. It is also envisioned that the touchsensors or proximity sensors and displays of the types described abovemay optionally be provided at the display screen device of the presentinvention, such as at or within the frame of the display screen deviceor behind the display screen such that the display screen may provide atouch screen to provide menu driven controls or selections, or the touchsensors may be provided at an overhead console or accessory system ormodule or the like (such as at the overhead accessory system or modulediscussed below), without affecting the scope of the present invention.

Also, although described as capacitive or electric field disturbancesensors that are actuatable by the user touching or approaching theplastic mirror portion or the reflective element or other mirror portionor module portion at the region corresponding to the touch sensor, it isenvisioned that the proximity sensors or elements may comprise othertouchless sensors or elements, such as antennae or antenna segments orthe like that detect the presence of a person's finger at or near theregion corresponding to the antenna segments, such as described in U.S.Ser. No. 10/956,749, filed Oct. 1, 2004 by Schofield et al. for MIRRORREFLECTIVE ELEMENT ASSEMBLY INCLUDING ELECTRONIC COMPONENT, now U.S.Pat. No. 7,446,924, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.Optionally, the inputs or sensors may comprise other types of sensors,such as touch or proximity switches of the types described in PCTApplication No. PCT/US03/40611, filed Dec. 19, 2003 by DonnellyCorporation for ACCESSORY SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE, and published Jul. 15,2004 as International Publication No. WO 2004/058540; and/or U.S. Pat.Nos. 6,001,486; 6,310,611; 6,320,282; and 6,627,918; and/or U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/817,874, filed Mar. 26, 2001 by Quist et al. forINTERACTIVE AUTOMOTIVE REARVISION SYSTEM, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,224,324;Ser. No. 10/956,749, filed Oct. 1, 2004 by Schofield et al. for MIRRORREFLECTIVE ELEMENT ASSEMBLY INCLUDING ELECTRONIC COMPONENT, now U.S.Pat. No. 7,446,924; Ser. No. 10/538,724, filed Jun. 13, 2005, andpublished Mar. 9, 2006 as U.S. Publication No. 2006/0050018; Ser. No.11/021,065, filed Dec. 23, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,255,451; Ser. No.11/140,396, filed May 27, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,360,932; and/or Ser.No. 10/933,842, filed Sep. 3, 2004 by Kulas et al. for INTERIOR REARVIEWMIRROR ASSEMBLY, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,249,860; and/or U.S. provisionalapplications, Ser. No. 60/624,320, filed Nov. 2, 2004 by Uken for MIRRORASSEMBLY FOR VEHICLE; Ser. No. 60/563,342, filed Apr. 19, 2004 byBareman et al. for METHOD OF MANUFACTURING ELECTRO-OPTIC MIRROR CELL;and/or Ser. No. 60/629,926, filed Nov. 22, 2004 by McCabe et al. forMETHOD OF MANUFACTURING ELECTRO-OPTIC MIRROR CELL, which are herebyincorporated herein by reference.

Optionally, the user inputs of the mirror assembly or display or modulemay comprise other types of buttons or switches for controlling oractivating/deactivating one or more electrical accessories or devices ofor associated with the mirror assembly. The mirror assembly may compriseany type of switches or buttons, such as touch or proximity sensingswitches, such as touch or proximity switches of the types describedabove, or the inputs may comprise other types of buttons or switches,such as those described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/029,695,filed Jan. 5, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,253,723; and/or U.S. provisionalapplications, Ser. No. 60/553,517, filed Mar. 16, 2004; Ser. No.60/535,559, filed Jan. 9, 2004; Ser. No. 60/690,401, filed Jun. 14,2005; and Ser. No. 60/719,482, filed Sep. 22, 2005, which are herebyincorporated herein by reference, or such as fabric-made positiondetectors, such as those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,504,531;6,501,465; 6,492,980; 6,452,479; 6,437,258; and 6,369,804, which arehereby incorporated herein by reference. For example, the inputs maycomprise a touch or proximity sensor of the types commercially availablefrom TouchSensor Technologies, LLC of Wheaton, Ill. The touch orproximity sensor may be operable to generate an electric field and todetect the presence of a conductive mass entering the field. When avoltage is applied to the sensor, the sensor generates the electricfield, which emanates through any dielectric material, such as plasticor the like, at the sensor. When a conductive mass (such as a person'sfinger or the like, or metal or the like) enters the electric field, thesensor may detect a change in the field and may indicate such adetection. Other types of switches or buttons or inputs or sensors maybe incorporated to provide the desired function, without affecting thescope of the present invention.

Optionally, the user inputs or buttons may comprise user inputs for agarage door opening system, such as a vehicle based garage door openingsystem of the types described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,396,408; 6,362,771;and 5,798,688, and/or U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/770,736, filedFeb. 3, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,023,322; and/or U.S. provisionalapplications, Ser. No. 60/502,806, filed Sep. 12, 2003 by Taylor et al.for GARAGE DOOR OPENING SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE; and Ser. No. 60/444,726,filed Feb. 4, 2003 by Baumgardner et al. for GARAGE DOOR OPENING SYSTEMFOR VEHICLE, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. The userinputs may also or otherwise function to activate and deactivate adisplay or function or accessory, and/or may activate/deactivate and/orcommence a calibration of a compass system of the mirror assembly and/orvehicle. The compass system may include compass sensors and circuitrywithin the mirror assembly or within a compass pod or module at or nearor associated with the mirror assembly. Optionally, the user inputs mayalso or otherwise comprise user inputs for a telematics system of thevehicle, such as, for example, an ONSTAR® system as found in GeneralMotors vehicles and/or such as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,862,594;4,937,945; 5,131,154; 5,255,442; 5,632,092; 5,798,688; 5,971,552;5,924,212; 6,243,003; 6,278,377; and 6,420,975; 6,477,464; and/or6,678,614; and/or U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/456,599, filedJun. 6, 2003 by Weller et al. for INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR SYSTEM WITHCOMPASS, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,004,593; Ser. No. 10/645,762, filed Aug.20, 2003 by Taylor et al. for VEHICLE NAVIGATION SYSTEM FOR USE WITH ATELEMATICS SYSTEM, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,167,796; Ser. No. 10/964,512,filed Oct. 13, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,308,341; and Ser. No.10/422,378, filed Apr. 24, 2003 by Schofield for IMAGING SYSTEM FORVEHICLE, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,946,978; and/or PCT Application No.PCT/US03/40611, filed Dec. 19, 2003 by Donnelly Corporation et al. forACCESSORY SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE, and published Jul. 15, 2004 asInternational Publication No. WO 2004/058540, and/or PCT Application No.PCT/US03/308877, filed Oct. 1, 2003 by Donnelly Corp. for MICROPHONESYSTEM FOR VEHICLE, and published Apr. 15, 2004 as InternationalPublication No. WO 2004/032568, which are all hereby incorporated hereinby reference.

Optionally, the mirror assembly may include one or more otheraccessories at or within the mirror casing, such as one or moreelectrical or electronic devices or accessories, such as antennas,including global positioning system (GPS) or cellular phone antennas,such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,971,552, a communication module,such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,798,688, a blind spot detectionsystem, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,929,786 and/or 5,786,772,transmitters and/or receivers, such as a garage door opener or the like,a digital network, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,798,575, ahigh/low headlamp controller, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.5,796,094 and/or 5,715,093, a memory mirror system, such as disclosed inU.S. Pat. No. 5,796,176, a hands-free phone attachment, a video devicefor internal cabin surveillance and/or video telephone function, such asdisclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,760,962 and/or 5,877,897, a remote keylessentry receiver, lights, such as map reading lights or one or more otherlights or illumination sources, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.6,690,268; 5,938,321; 5,813,745; 5,820,245; 5,673,994; 5,649,756;5,178,448; 5,671,996; 4,646,210; 4,733,336; 4,807,096; 6,042,253; and/or5,669,698, and/or U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/054,633, filedJan. 22, 2002 by Lynam et al. for VEHICULAR LIGHTING SYSTEM, now U.S.Pat. No. 7,195,381; Ser. No. 10/745,056, filed Dec. 22, 2003 by Lynam etal. for LIGHT MODULE FOR INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLY, now U.S.Pat. No. 6,971,775; and/or Ser. No. 10/933,842, filed Sep. 3, 2004 byKulas et al. for INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLY, now U.S. Pat. No.7,249,860, microphones, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,243,003;6,278,377; and/or 6,420,975; and/or U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/529,715, filed Mar. 30, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,657,052; and/or PCTApplication No. PCT/US03/30877, filed Oct. 1, 2003, and published Apr.15, 2004 as International Publication No. WO 2004/032568, speakers,antennas, including global positioning system (GPS) or cellular phoneantennas, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,971,552, a communicationmodule, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,798,688, a voice recorder,a blind spot detection system, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.5,929,786 and/or 5,786,772, and/or U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/427,051, filed Apr. 30, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,038,577; and Ser.No. 10/209,173, filed Jul. 31, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,882,287; and/orU.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/638,687, filed Dec. 23, 2004,transmitters and/or receivers, such as for a garage door opener or avehicle door unlocking system or the like (such as a remote keylessentry system), a digital network, such as described in U.S. Pat. No.5,798,575, a high/low headlamp controller, such as a camera-basedheadlamp control, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,796,094 and/or5,715,093, a memory mirror system, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.5,796,176, a hands-free phone attachment, an imaging system orcomponents or circuitry or display thereof, such as an imaging and/ordisplay system of the types described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,690,268 and6,847,487; and/or U.S. provisional applications, Ser. No. 60/614,644,filed Sep. 30, 2004; Ser. No. 60/618,686, filed Oct. 14, 2004; Ser. No.60/628,709, filed Nov. 17, 2004; Ser. No. 60/644,903, filed Jan. 11,2005; Ser. No. 60/667,049, filed Mar. 31, 2005; and/or U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/105,757, filed Apr. 14, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No.7,526,103, a video device for internal cabin surveillance (such as forsleep detection or driver drowsiness detection or the like) and/or videotelephone function, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,760,962 and/or5,877,897, a remote keyless entry receiver, a seat occupancy detector, aremote starter control, a yaw sensor, a clock, a carbon monoxidedetector, status displays, such as displays that display a status of adoor of the vehicle, a transmission selection (4wd/2wd or tractioncontrol (TCS) or the like), an antilock braking system, a road condition(that may warn the driver of icy road conditions) and/or the like, atrip computer, a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) receiver (suchas described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,124,647; 6,294,989; 6,445,287;6,472,979; and/or 6,731,205; and/or U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/232,324, filed Sep. 21, 2005 by O'Brien et al. for TIRE PRESSUREALERT SYSTEM, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,423,522; and/or U.S. provisionalapplication Ser. No. 60/611,796, filed Sep. 21, 2004), and/or an ONSTAR®system, a compass, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,924,212;4,862,594; 4,937,945; 5,131,154; 5,255,442; and/or 5,632,092, and/or anyother accessory or circuitry or the like (with all of theabove-referenced patents and PCT and U.S. patent applications beingcommonly assigned to Donnelly Corporation, and with the disclosures ofthe referenced patents and patent applications being hereby incorporatedherein by reference in their entireties).

Optionally, the mirror assembly, or a pod or module at or near orassociated with the mirror assembly, may include a receptacle or port orsocket for connecting or docking or receiving a digital data storagedevice, such as a memory stick or the like, so that data may beexchanged between digital devices of the vehicle (that may be disposedat or about the interior mirror assembly or elsewhere in the vehicle)and the memory stick or data storage device or the like. The mirrorassembly thus may function to download or upload digital informationfrom the device or memory stick or to the device or memory stick, andmay provide a communication means with the vehicle speakers or a displayfor playback of the recorded information. The mirror assembly may alsoinclude appropriate circuitry and hardware/software for downloading andutilizing or playing or displaying the data or information streamed intothe circuitry from the digital data storage device at the port.

For example, the mirror assembly may include an industry standard dataexchange connector or port, such as a universal serial bus (USB) port orthe like, for connection to a digital playback device or to digital datastorage devices or the like, such as a memory stick or the like. Thus, auser can readily plug their digital device into the port at the mirrorassembly (or at a module or pod at or near or associated with the mirrorassembly) to download or upload or stream the desired data orinformation. For example, a user can digitally record music as a digitalfile onto their memory stick and may bring the music into the vehiclefor playback by plugging in or connecting the memory stick to the dataport at the mirror assembly. Likewise, a user can digitally record musicor other information onto the memory stick at the mirror assembly, andmay then carry or take the music or information on the memory stick fromthe vehicle to their home or office or other desired location.

The driver of the vehicle thus may choose to bring their portablecomputer or digital storage device into the vehicle and may stream datainto the vehicle for storage or processing or playback (such as at thevideo display screen or other video screen or display screen or thelike) at or near or associated with the mirror assembly. Optionally, andalternatively, the user may use the digital storage device and data portto stream data out of the vehicle to store data (such as recorded musicor the like) onto the digital storage device. The port may be locatedanywhere at the mirror assembly, or may be located at a pod or module ator near or associated with the mirror assembly, without affecting thescope of the present invention. Optionally, the mirror assembly may alsoor otherwise include a receiver or socket or port for connection to adigital playback device, such as an MP3 player or other digital device,such as an iPod or the like. The data port and/or other receiver or portmay be located at the mirror assembly or at an accessory pod or moduleor a windshield electronics module or the like, which may be located ator near the mirror assembly or which may be associated with the mirrorassembly or which may be located at a header portion or console or thelike of the vehicle, without affecting the scope of the presentinvention.

Optionally, the display system of the present invention may provide agraphic overlay, such as icons or text or indicia or the like, at thedisplay screen. In applications with digital cameras or digital cameraoutputs, the digital signals from the digital camera or digitalenvironment may be readily digitally married with computer graphics orthe like and displayed on a display screen. Such digital signals may becommunicated from the camera to the display device (which is remote fromthe camera) via various protocols or nodes, such as Bluetooth™, SCP,UBP, J1850, CAN J2284, Fire Wire 1394, MOST, LIN, FlexRay™, Byte Flightand/or the like, or other vehicle-based or in-vehicle communicationlinks or systems (such as WIFI and/or IRDA) and/or the like.

However, in many applications, a camera or image sensor may be selectedor used that provides a non-digital or analog video signal, such as anNTSC signal or a PAL signal or the like. For example, such non-digitalor analog communications may be desired to communication the videosignal from a rear portion of the vehicle to a display system at or neara front portion of the vehicle cabin (typically via wires connectedbetween the camera and the display device). When the analog video signalor images are displayed, it may be desired to provide such graphic ortext or iconistic overlays at the display to enhance the informationprovided by the display screen.

The screen display and graphic overlay or overlay screen display of thepresent invention provides an economical video on-screen character oriconistic or graphical overlay for vehicle rear vision assist (such as,for example, a forward, sideward or rearward parking assist or backupaid or the like) and other vehicle-based video or imaging applications.The low cost wiring between the analog camera and the display device maybe utilized, while still providing the graphic overlays on the videoimages being displayed. The overlay screen display thus compriseseconomical circuitry that generates an on-screen display that overlaysuser-defined text or icons or graphical overlays in real-time ontoeither an incoming NTSC or PAL video signal feed (such as is output froman analog video camera) or onto a self-generating background screen,directly onto a video mirror display or other vehicular rear visionapplication or any NTSC or PAL (video in) television signal, DVD signal,VCR signal or the like.

Optionally, in one embodiment, a fixed grid or reticule pattern may beoverlayed onto the real-time rear camera image to indicate one or morephysical reference points (such as, for example, a vehicle bumper, thesides of vehicle, a virtual trailer hitch location, and/or the like) ordistance information or other relevant or desired information. Theoverlay screen display could also overlay monochrome text or coloredtext onto an incoming video source or could display colored text on aself-generated colored background screen (such as, for example, a bluescreen). Text color, blinking, zoom level, cursor positioning, and thebackground color may be controlled from user inputs, such as push-buttoncontrols or the like, or by the vehicle's multiplexed communicationsystem or the like.

Other commands for controlling the video display screen and overlay mayinclude screen clearing, showing/hiding the text, scrolling the text,blinking or flashing or intermittently displaying the text andenabling/disabling translucent text (a feature that allows video to passthrough the text, such as in a similar manner as some televisionnetworks do with their logos). The overlay information may comprisevarious vehicle information to display such information for viewing bythe driver of the vehicle. For example, the overlay information mayinclude GPS coordinates indicating the vehicle's location or a locationof another place, such as a waypoint of a programmed travel route or adestination location or the like, a compass or directional heading ofthe vehicle, the outside temperature, or warnings or alerts, or otherinformation that a driver may wish to see while driving the vehicle.Optionally, the overlay information may comprise telematics information,such as, for example, hands free commands, turn by turn instructions,caller ID, traffic information, and/or the like.

The overlay screen display controller circuitry may be incorporated inthe rearview mirror or at an interface module located between the videosource or camera and the display. For example, and as shown in FIG. 53,a graphic overlay system 700 may include a video signal 710, such as avideo source NTSC composite signal or the like, which may be providedfrom a camera or image sensor to the overlay screen display (OSD)controller 720, such as a microprocessor or FPGA or the like. Thecontroller 720 may generate the overlay information and the video signaland overlay information may be provided to the display 730. Thecontroller 720 thus may function to receive the composite video signal,add the appropriate information (such as icons or indicia or text or thelike) and resends the composite signal out to be displayed at the videodisplay screen.

Using the present invention, graphical overlays and the like may beeconomically generated and overlayed/displayed on a video screenviewable by the driver (such as an interior mirror slide-out videoscreen) by a overlay screen display (OSD) video controller that isreceiving a non-digital analog video signal from a non-digital, analogvideo camera (such as an NTSC analog camera or PAL camera or the like)mounted at the vehicle, such as at the rear of the vehicle to viewrearward when reverse gear is engaged, and that generates the video feedto the video display screen seen by the driver, with a graphic overlaysuperimposed onto the NTSC or similar TV-protocol video feed from therear mounted analog video camera (or other camera mounted elsewhere atthe vehicle with a corresponding field of view).

Optionally, a non-digital or analog video signal (such as an NTSC or PALsignal) may be fed or communicated to an analog to digital (A/D)converter to digitize or convert the signal to a digital format. Thedigitized signal may then be fed or communicated to a microprocessor orcontroller for digital processing, such as for adding a digital graphicoverlay to the images of the video signal. The digitized signal, withdigital graphic overlays, may then pass to a digital to analog (D/A)converter to convert the digitized signal with graphic overlays to anon-digital or analog signal, which is then communicated to the displaydevice or element or screen, such as via known analog signals, such asan NTSC or PAL signal or the like). The display system thus may providegraphic overlays to an analog camera signal so that the video images andgraphic overlays, such as text, indicia, icons or the like, may beviewed at the display screen by the driver of the vehicle. The A/Dconverter, microprocessor and/or D/A converter may be located at anylocation between the analog camera and the display device, such as atthe interior rearview mirror assembly or proximate to or near orassociated with the interior rearview mirror assembly, or elsewhere atthe vehicle, without affecting the scope of the present invention.

Optionally, the accessory or accessories, such as those described aboveand/or below, may be positioned at or within the mirror casing and maybe included on or integrated in a printed circuit board positionedwithin the mirror casing, such as along a rear surface of the reflectiveelement or elsewhere within a cavity defined by the casing, withoutaffecting the scope of the present invention. The user actuatable inputsand/or touch sensors and/or proximity sensors and displays describedabove may be actuatable to control and/or adjust the accessories of themirror assembly/system and/or overhead console and/or accessory moduleand/or vehicle. The connection or link between the controls and thedisplay screen device and/or the navigation system and/or other systemsand accessories of the mirror system may be provided via vehicleelectronic or communication systems and the like, and may be connectedvia various protocols or nodes, such as Bluetooth™, SCP, UBP, J1850, CANJ2284, Fire Wire 1394, MOST, LIN, FlexRay™, Byte Flight and/or the like,or other vehicle-based or in-vehicle communication links or systems(such as WIFI and/or IRDA) and/or the like, or via VHF or UHF or otherwireless transmission formats, depending on the particular applicationof the mirror/accessory system and the vehicle. Optionally, theconnections or links may be provided via various wireless connectivityor links, without affecting the scope of the present invention.

Optionally, the mirror assembly may include a compass system and compasscircuitry, such as a compass system utilizing aspects of the compasssystems described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/933,842, filedSep. 3, 2004 by Kulas et al. for INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLY, nowU.S. Pat. No. 7,249,860; Ser. No. 10/456,599, filed Jun. 6, 2003 byWeller et al. for INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR SYSTEM WITH COMPASS, now U.S.Pat. No. 7,004,593; Ser. No, 11/226,628, filed Sep. 14, 2005, andpublished on Mar. 23, 2006 as U.S. Patent Publication No. 2006/0061008;and/or Ser. No. 09/999,429, filed Nov. 15, 2001 by DeLine et al. forINTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR SYSTEM INCORPORATING A DIRECTIONAL INFORMATIONDISPLAY, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,642,851, and/or U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,546,551;5,699,044; 4,953,305; 5,576,687; 5,632,092; 5,677,851; 5,708,410;5,737,226; 5,802,727; 5,878,370; 6,087,953; 6,173,508; 6,222,460; and6,513,252, and/or PCT Application No. PCT/US2004/015424, filed May 18,2004 by Donnelly Corp. et al. for MIRROR ASSEMBLY FOR VEHICLE, andpublished on Dec. 2, 2004, as International Publication No. WO2004/103772, and/or European patent application, published Oct. 11, 2000under Publication No. EP 0 1043566, and/or U.S. provisionalapplications, Ser. No. 60/624,091, filed Nov. 1, 2004 by Karner et al.for MOUNTING ASSEMBLY FOR MIRROR AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME; Ser. No.60/636,931, filed Dec. 17, 2004 by Blank et al. for INTERIOR REARVIEWMIRROR SYSTEM WITH COMPASS; Ser. No. 60/638,250, filed Dec. 21, 2004;Ser. No. 60/642,227, filed Jan. 7, 2005; and Ser. No. 60/653,787, filedFeb. 17, 2005, which are all hereby incorporated herein by reference.The compass circuity may include compass sensors, such as amagneto-responsive sensor, such as a magneto-resistive sensor, amagneto-capacitive sensor, a Hall sensor, a magneto-inductive sensor, aflux-gate sensor or the like. The sensor or sensors may be positioned atand within a base portion of the mirror assembly so that thesensor/sensors is/are substantially fixedly positioned within thevehicle, or may be attached or positioned within the mirror casing. Notethat the magneto-responsive sensor used with the mirror assembly maycomprise a magneto-responsive sensor, such as a magneto-resistivesensor, such as the types disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,255,442;5,632,092; 5,802,727; 6,173,501; 6,427,349; and 6,513,252 (which arehereby incorporated herein by reference), or a magneto-inductive sensor,such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,878,370 (which is herebyincorporated herein by reference), or a magneto-impedance sensor, suchas the types described in PCT Publication No. WO 2004/076971 A2,published Sep. 10, 2004 (which is hereby incorporated herein byreference), or a Hall-effect sensor, such as the types described in U.S.Pat. Nos. 6,278,271; 5,942,895 and 6,184,679 (which are herebyincorporated herein by reference). The sensor circuitry and/or thecircuitry in the mirror housing and associated with the sensor mayinclude processing circuitry. For example, a printed circuit board mayinclude processing circuitry which may include compensation methods,such as those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,546,551; 5,699,044;4,953,305; 5,576,687; 5,632,092; 5,677,851; 5,708,410; 5,737,226;5,802,727; 5,878,370; 6,087,953; 6,173,508; 6,222,460; and 6,642,851,which are all hereby incorporated herein by reference. The compasssensor may be incorporated in or associated with a compass system and/ordisplay system for displaying a directional heading of the vehicle tothe driver, such as a compass system of the types described in U.S. Pat.Nos. 5,924,212; 4,862,594; 4,937,945; 5,131,154; 5,255,442; and/or5,632,092, and/or U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/456,599, filedJun. 6, 2003 by Weller et al. for INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR SYSTEM WITHCOMPASS, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,004,593, and/or PCT Application No.PCT/US2004/015424, filed May 18, 2004 by Donnelly Corp. et al. forMIRROR ASSEMBLY FOR VEHICLE, and published on Dec. 2, 2004, asInternational Publication No. WO 2004/103772, which are all herebyincorporated herein by reference.

Optionally, the sensor may comprise a two-axis sensor (comprising twomagneto-responsive sensor elements disposed orthogonally to each otherand disposed in a cavity generally parallel to the floor plane of thevehicle so as to be sensitive to the horizontal component of the Earth'smagnetic field), or the sensor may comprise a three-axis sensor(comprising two magneto-responsive sensor elements disposed orthogonallyto each other and disposed in the cavity, and a third magneto-responsivesensor element at a right angle (approximately ninety degrees) to thetwo sensor elements and disposed in the cavity, so that the three-axissensor is sensitive to the horizontal component and to the verticalcomponent of the Earth's magnetic field), without affecting the scope ofthe present invention. The sensor may be arranged at a desired angle toprovide enhances sensing in the horizontal directions when the mirrorassembly is installed in the vehicle.

Optionally, an integrated automotive “compass-on-a-chip” may be disposedin a cavity of the mounting base of the mirror (or within the mirrorhousing or in an attachment to the mirror mount or elsewhere within themirror assembly such as to the rear of the video screen or to the rearof the mirror reflective element) and may comprise at least twomagneto-responsive sensor elements (such as a Hall sensor or multipleHall sensors), associated A/D and D/A converters, associatedmicroprocessor(s) and memory, associated signal processing andfiltering, associated display driver and associated LIN/CAN BUSinterface and the like, all (or a sub-set thereof) created or disposedor commonly established onto a semiconductor chip surface/substrate orsilicon substrate, such as utilizing CMOS technology and/or fabricationtechniques as known in the semiconductor manufacturing arts, andconstituting an ASIC chip, such as utilizing principles described inU.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/226,628, filed Sep. 14, 2005, andpublished on Mar. 23, 2006 as U.S. Patent Publication No. 2006/0061008,and/or U.S. provisional applications, Ser. No. 60/624,091, filed Nov. 1,2004 by Karner et al. for MOUNTING ASSEMBLY FOR MIRROR AND METHOD OFMAKING SAME; Ser. No. 60/638,250, filed Dec. 21, 2004; Ser. No.60/642,227, filed Jan. 7, 2005; and Ser. No. 60/653,787, filed Feb. 17,2005, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference, and/or such asby utilizing aspects of an EC driver-on-a-chip such as described in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 11/201,661, filed Aug. 11, 2005 by DeWard etal. for ACCESSORY MODULE FOR VEHICLE, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,480,149. TheASIC chip may be small (preferably less than approximately a two squarecentimeter area, more preferably less than approximately a 1.5 squarecentimeter area, and most preferably less than approximately a onesquare centimeter area or thereabouts) and readily packagable into themirror assembly (or a feed from such a compass-on-a-chip may be providedto the mirror assembly from a compass-on-a-chip packaged elsewhere inthe vehicle cabin remote from the mirror assembly such as in aninstrument panel portion or in roof console portion). Such large scaleintegration onto the likes of the silicon substrate/chip can allow acompass functionality to be provided by a relatively small chip, andwith appropriate pin out or electrical leads provided as is common inthe electrical art.

The compass-on-a chip preferably may include some or all of thefollowing:

Synchronous Communications (SI/O):

8 or 16 bit Synchronous Serial Interface—1 channel

-   -   Multi Word Buffer such as a 3 Word buffer    -   Clock: Digital Out (Open Collector/Drain, 5 volt compatible)    -   Data Out: Digital Out (Open Collector/Drain, 5 volt compatible)    -   Data In: Digital Input (5 volt compatible)        Asynchronous Communications (UART):

BUS compatible such as LIN or CAN compatible

Standard Baud rates selectable from at least 2400 to 19,200 or more

2 lines, Tx & Rx

PWM Generator:

10 bit resolution

250 Hz-1 kHz or higher

Double buffered (new value can be loaded without disrupting currentcycle)

Digital Out (Open Collector/Drain, 5 volt compatible)

RAM:

At least 768 bytes

EEPROM:

At least 60 bytes

ROM/Flash (MD Usage):

At least 10K; more preferably at least 20K; most preferably at least 30K

Watchdog Timer:

Preferable intervals in the 1 to 2 second range.

Timers:

1-16 bit timer Time Base Timer

1-16 bit timer/counter/input capture (input line)

Reset:

Brownout/Low Voltage detection built in.

Analog Requirements:

4 Analog Inputs

10 bit resolution

100 readings per second per channel max.

External analog reference pin

Voltage range: 0 to 5V preferred, 3.3 v min.)

Leakage current<1 microamp

Digital Inputs:

4 Digital Inputs (5 volt compatible)

Digital Outputs:

1 Push-Pull

3 Open Collector/Drain, 5 volt compatible

Regulated Voltage:

3.3 volts up to 10 ma.

The integrated compass chip may be connected to a power in or supplylead or wiring harness (such as a wiring harness that extends down fromthe headliner of the vehicle) and may connect to a wiring or harness ofthe mirror assembly. Preferably, the compass chip may connect betweenand in-line with the vehicle wiring harness and the mirror wiringharness (which may connect between the mounting base of the mirrorassembly and the mirror casing, such as in the manner described in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 11/226,628, filed Sep. 14, 2005, andpublished on Mar. 23, 2006 as U.S. Patent Publication No. 2006/0061008;and/or U.S. provisional applications, Ser. No. 60/624,091, filed Nov. 1,2004 by Karner et al. for MOUNTING ASSEMBLY FOR MIRROR AND METHOD OFMAKING SAME; Ser. No. 60/638,250, filed Dec. 21, 2004; Ser. No.60/642,227, filed Jan. 7, 2005; and Ser. No. 60/653,787, filed Feb. 17,2005, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference), or in-linewith another pug/socket connector of the vehicle. The integrated compasschip thus may be readily connected, such as via plug-in-socket typeconnections, to both wires or harnesses to electrically connect thecompass chip to the power source and to a display or user interface orinput at the mirror. The connectors of the compass chip may be selectedsuch that when the compass chip is not selected as an option of thevehicle, the vehicle wiring harness connects to or plugs into the mirrorharness or wiring in the same manner, such that common wiring harnessesand/or connectors may be used at the vehicle and mirror, regardless ofwhether or not the compass system is included. Thus, an electronic chip(such as an integrated compass-on-a-chip) may be connected in-line withan existing plug/socket arrangement in the vehicle such that thepresence of the chip-in-line is largely unnoticed by the vehicleoccupants.

Because the compass sensor or sensors and circuitry may be positioned ator in or near the mirror assembly, the compass sensors could experiencemagnetic anomalies when the drive motor of the display screen isactivated to extend/retract the display screen. Such magnetic anomaliesmay influence or corrupt the displayed compass heading and short or longterm calibration of the compass system. Therefore, it is desirable thatthe mirror assembly or compass system include a compass disablingfunction or means, whereby the compass control or compass algorithmstops reading or disables the sensor or disregards or does notincorporate the raw compass value readings (such as the x and y A/Dinputs) from the sensor when the drive motor is activated or running.The compass system or control thus limits or substantially precludeserroneous compass readings or calibrations that may occur if data issampled by the compass sensor or sensors while the drive motor isextending or retracting the display screen.

Therefore, the present invention provides a mirror assembly thatincludes a video display screen which is laterally extendable from aside of a mirror casing for viewing by an occupant of a vehicle. Thevideo display screen may be selectably or automatically slidably movablevia one or more rails or slide members laterally within and/or along themirror casing. The video display screen may be positioned substantiallywithin the mirror casing when not in use (or may be movably attached toa rear surface or portion of a reflective element portion of the mirrorassembly so as to be positioned substantially behind the mirror casingwhen not in use), and may extend substantially outward from the mirrorcasing toward the driver or passenger side of the vehicle when viewingof the video display screen is desired. By having extension of the videodisplay screen occurring occasionally and in response to one or moreactivating events or stimuli, such as discussed above, the temporaryextension or presence of the video display screen, even when in orpartially in the forward field of view of driver, is not unacceptable orhazardous.

The extension and retraction mechanism allows for occasional use of thevideo display screen and allows the video display screen to be stowedwhen not in use. By slidably positioning the video display screen withinor along/behind the mirror casing, the present invention provides for alarge video display screen to enhance viewing of the images displayedthereon by the driver or other occupant of the vehicle, while having aminimal affect on the size of the mirror casing. For applications wherethe display element is received within the mirror casing, the mirrorcasing is formed to be wide enough to receive the video display screentherein, with the mirror casing being at least as wide as the heightdimension of the video display screen. Alternately, for applicationswhere the display element is movably attached to a rear of a reflectiveelement portion of the mirror assembly, the mirror reflective elementmay comprise a lower profile or reduced height reflective element andmirror assembly and, thus, may enhance the forward field of view of thedriver of the vehicle.

Although shown and described as being preferably incorporated into or atan interior rearview mirror assembly mounted at an interior surface ofthe windshield, or alternatively into or at an interior rearview mirrorassembly mounted at a header portion of the vehicle or the like,embodiments of the present invention may be of benefit and may be usedin other regions of the vehicle, such as in windshield electronicmodules or accessory modules or overhead systems or overhead consoles orthe like, or into an instrument panel portion of the vehicle, orelsewhere in the vehicle, without affecting the scope of the presentinvention. Optionally, for example, aspects of the present invention maybe utilized in connection with a video slideout display element and/or apowered/movable sun visor display element of the types described in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 11/226,628, filed Sep. 14, 2005, andpublished on Mar. 23, 2006 as U.S. Patent Publication No. 2006/0061008,which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

Therefore, the present invention provides a display screen that isslidably or movably positioned at or within a casing and that may beextendable and operable in conjunction with one or more systems of themirror assembly or accessory module or console or of the vehicle. Thedisplay screen may extend sidewardly or laterally toward the passengerside of the vehicle from the casing, such as a mirror casing orwindshield electronics module casing or accessory module casing or thelike. The display screen may be linked to such systems to extend and todisplay information or video or the like pertaining to the particularsystem when that system is activated or selected. The display screen mayautomatically extend and activate to display such information or videowhen a particular system is activated, or when a particular condition orlocation of the vehicle is detected, and may automatically retract whenthe particular system is deactivated or when the particular condition orlocation of the vehicle is cured or completed or passed. The displaysystem thus provides a dynamic extension and/or retraction system thatresponds dynamically to driving conditions and/or traffic conditionsand/or vehicle conditions and/or hazardous conditions and/or selectedsystems or accessories, and that may extend to alert the driver thatthere is pertinent information or video being displayed at the displayscreen, and retract when such information or video is not necessary ordesired.

Referring now to FIGS. 47-49, an interior rearview mirror assembly 810includes a mirror casing 812 and a reflective element 814 (FIGS. 48 and49), and a mirror accessory module or element or device 816 that isattachable at a mounting portion 818 of mirror casing 812. Mirroraccessory element 816 includes a circuit board 820 and associatedaccessories and circuitry. Mirror accessory element 816 thus comprisesan electronic accessory element having electronic content or featuresthat is readily attached to the mounting portion 818 of the mirrorcasing 812 to provide such electronic content or features to a universalor common mirror casing 816. Thus, during construction of the mirrorassembly 810, a mirror module or accessory element or subassembly withthe desired or selected electronic content may be selected and attachedto a common mirror casing to form a mirror assembly with the desired orselected electronic content therein, as discussed below.

Mirror accessory element 816 thus includes electronic circuitry andcontent, such as mechanical and/or electrical/electronic elements, suchas lighting elements or user interface/button elements or microphoneelements or antenna elements or electrical circuitry elements or cameraelements or sensor elements or the like, encased or partially encasedwithin a module casing or element 822, which forms a lower or chinportion of the mirror assembly 810 when attached to mounting portion 818along a lower surface of the mirror casing 812 (such as shown in FIGS.48 and 49). Optionally, a mirror accessory module or accessory elementor subassembly 816′ (FIG. 50) may attach to a mounting portion along anupper surface of the mirror casing 812′ so that the module casing 822′provides an upper module or eyebrow portion of the mirror assembly 810′when attached thereto. Optionally, the mirror accessory element ormodule or subassembly may attach elsewhere at the body or casing of themirror assembly, such as at the driver side or passenger side of themirror assembly (when the mirror assembly is mounted at the vehicle),without affecting the scope of the present invention. As can be seenwith reference to FIGS. 48-50, the module casing 822, 822′ may be formedor contoured or sculpted to provide a clean connection to the mirrorcasing so that the mirror accessory element appears to be formed as partof the mirror casing when the mirror accessory element is attached tothe mirror casing.

In the illustrated embodiment, mirror assembly 810 includes a prismaticreflective element 814 and a toggle assembly or toggle 815 thatfunctions to flip the prismatic reflective element to adjust the degreeof reflectance of light incident thereon, such as is known in the art.In such a prismatic mirror embodiment, the toggle 815 may comprise anelongated or lengthened toggle so that the toggle may extend down asufficient amount to extend and protrude through the mirror accessoryelement 816 (such as through an opening or aperture in the mirroraccessory element) when attached at the lower mounting portion 818 ofmirror casing 812, and may extend a sufficient amount below the lowersurface of the accessory module casing 822 so as to be readilyaccessible by the driver of the vehicle or user of the mirror assembly.

Circuit board 820 is attached to the module casing 822 so that thecircuit board 820 and module casing 822 are provided as a modular unitor self-contained unit for attachment to the mirror casing 812. In theillustrated embodiment, circuit board 820 includes electrical switches824 positioned along a portion of the circuit board 820 and generallyaligned with openings 822 a in module casing 822 when the circuit board820 is attached to the module casing 822. The openings 822 a may receiveuser inputs or buttons 826 (FIGS. 48 and 49) so that the user inputs 826may be pressed by a user to actuate the electrical switches 824 atcircuit board 820, such as to activate/deactivate/control an accessoryat or in or associated with the mirror accessory element 816 and/ormirror assembly 810. As shown in FIG. 47, mirror accessory element 816may include a support rib 827 that may support the circuit board 820 andthat may assist in aligning the mirror accessory element with themounting portion 818 of mirror casing 812 and guiding the mirroraccessory element or unit as the unit is pressed into engagement withand connected or attached to the mirror casing 812, as discussed below.

Optionally, the circuit board 820 may include a photo sensor or glaresensor 828, which may be located generally at an opening 822 b in modulecasing 822 for detecting or sensing light or glare from rearward of thevehicle, such as for use in controlling the automatic dimming functionof an electrochromic reflective element or the like. The circuit board820 may also include electrochromic control circuitry for controllingthe dimming of the reflective element 814, and may incorporate aspectsof an EC driver-on-a-chip, such as the circuitry and chip described inU.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/201,661, filed Aug. 11, 2005 byDeWard et al. for ACCESSORY MODULE FOR VEHICLE, now U.S. Pat. No.7,480,149, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

Optionally, circuit board 820 may include other accessories or devices,depending on the particular application of the mirror accessory element816 and mirror assembly 810. For example, and as shown in FIG. 47,mirror accessory element 816 may include a microphone 830 for receivingaudible or voice signals from within the cabin of the vehicle. Themicrophone may incorporate aspects of the microphones and systemsdescribed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,243,003; 6,278,377; and/or 6,420,975;and/or U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/529,715, filed Mar. 30, 2005,now U.S. Pat. No. 7,657,052; and/or PCT Application No. PCT/US03/30877,filed Oct. 1, 2003, and published Apr. 15, 2004 as InternationalPublication No. WO 2004/032568, which are hereby incorporated herein byreference.

Optionally, for example, a mirror accessory module or element 816″ (FIG.51) for a mirror assembly 810″ may also or otherwise include one or moreillumination sources 832 a, 832 b that may be electrically connected tothe circuit board 820 and may be activated/deactivated by one of theuser inputs 826 and electrical switches 824 (or other inputs orcontrols). Optionally, for example, and as shown in FIG. 52, a mirroraccessory module or element 816′″ of a mirror assembly 810′″ may notinclude a microphone, and may include two lights or illumination sources832 a′, 832 b, or may include other types of light sources or otheraccessories, without affecting the scope of the present invention. Theillumination sources may direct or emit illumination toward a targetedarea, such as for a map reading light application or the like, such asby utilizing aspects of the lights described in U.S. Pat. Nos.6,690,268; 5,938,321; 5,813,745; 5,820,245; 5,673,994; 5,649,756;5,178,448; 5,671,996; 4,646,210; 4,733,336; 4,807,096; 6,042,253; and/or5,669,698, and/or U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/054,633, filedJan. 22, 2002 by Lynam et al. for VEHICULAR LIGHTING SYSTEM, now U.S.Pat. No. 7,195,381; Ser. No. 10/745,056, filed Dec. 22, 2003 by Lynam etal. for LIGHT MODULE FOR INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLY, now U.S.Pat. No. 6,971,775; and/or Ser. No. 10/933,842, filed Sep. 3, 2004 byKulas et al. for INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLY, now U.S. Pat. No.7,249,860, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. The mirroraccessory elements 816″ and 816′″ may otherwise be substantially similarto the mirror accessory element 816, such that a detailed description ofthe mirror accessory elements will not be repeated herein.

Optionally, the selected accessory, such as a microphone or light or thelike, may be readily attached or snapped to the module casing 822, 822″at a corresponding aperture 822 c, and may be electrically connected tocorresponding circuitry or connectors or terminals at the circuit boardto readily provide the desired electronic feature at the mirroraccessory element, and without having to re-tool the module casing fordifferent applications. Preferably, the mechanical connection andelectrical connection of the accessory to the module casing andcircuitry are substantially simultaneously made as the accessory isattached to the module, thereby providing a plug and play functionality.It is further envisioned that in applications where only one accessoryor no accessories are selected for such an attachment, the apertures 822c in the module casing may be plugged or covered with a cover element orblank or punch out element or the like, such that a common module casingmay be used for a variety of applications with varying electroniccontent.

Circuit board 820 includes an electrical connector 834 (such as amulti-pin connector with multiple electrically conducting terminals orpins, such as are known in the art) protruding therefrom for electricalconnection to a connector at an end of a vehicle wire harness or thelike at the rear of the mirror casing 812. For example, and as shown inFIG. 47, electrical connector 834 may be located at a tab or extension820 a of circuit board 820 so that electrical connector 834 and tab 820a (and support rib 827) are inserted through an opening 812 a atmounting portion 818 of mirror casing 812 and into a cavity or interiorregion of mirror casing 812 when mirror accessory element 816 isattached to mounting portion 818. When so inserted, electrical connector834 may be generally aligned with a connector opening or aperture 812 bat a rear of the mirror casing 812, whereby the connector of the vehiclewiring harness may be readily inserted into or otherwise connected toconnector 834 at aperture 812 b to electrically connect the circuitry ofcircuit board 820 to the vehicle power and/or controls. The wire andconnector extending to and connecting to the connector 834 of mirroraccessory element 816 may comprise a vehicle wire harness or lead orother wire or cable or harness or lead that may extend down from thevehicle headliner and/or console or the like, and that may be routed ormanaged along the windshield and to the mirror assembly, and such as byutilizing wire managements techniques of the types described in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 11/226,628, filed Sep. 14, 2005, andpublished on Mar. 23, 2006 as U.S. Patent Publication No. 2006/0061008;and/or PCT Application No. PCT/US2004/015424, filed May 18, 2004 byDonnelly Corp. et al. for MIRROR ASSEMBLY FOR VEHICLE, and published onDec. 2, 2004, as International Publication No. WO 2004/103772; and/orU.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/729,430, filed Oct. 21, 2005 byHook for MOUNTING ASSEMBLY FOR VEHICLE INTERIOR MIRROR, which are herebyincorporated by reference herein.

As shown in FIG. 47, the mirror accessory element 816 may includelocking tabs 836 that are received in corresponding apertures or slots838 in mirror casing 812 (and at mounting portion 818) to attach or snapthe mirror accessory element 816 to mirror casing 812. As the mirroraccessory element 816 is moved into engagement and attached to themirror casing 812, the electrical connector 834 is moved into positionat the connector opening 812 b at the rear of mirror casing 812 andtoggle or tab 815 is inserted through the mirror accessory element 816so as to extend below the mirror accessory element when the accessoryelement is attached or secured or snapped to the mirror casing.

The mirror module or accessory element or subassembly of the presentinvention thus provides electrical content to a common mirror casing andreflective element (such as a base-line type of mirror casing andreflective element), so that the desired electrical content and featuresmay be readily provided at a mirror assembly without requiring separatemirror casings and particular structures within the mirror casings. Avariety of mirror features and assemblies thus may be provided with acommon mirror casing and reflective element and toggle assembly, wherebydifferent electronic features may be provided without having to re-toolthe mirror casing. For example, a telematics function or system for avehicle may be incorporated into the mirror accessory element (such as,for example, an ONSTAR® system as found in General Motors vehiclesand/or such as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,862,594; 4,937,945;5,131,154; 5,255,442; 5,632,092; 5,798,688; 5,971,552; 5,924,212;6,243,003; 6,278,377; 6,946,978; and 6,420,975; 6,477,464; and/or6,678,614; and/or U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/456,599, filedJun. 6, 2003 by Weller et al. for INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR SYSTEM WITHCOMPASS, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,004,593; Ser. No. 10/645,762, filed Aug.20, 2003 by Taylor et al. for VEHICLE NAVIGATION SYSTEM FOR USE WITH ATELEMATICS SYSTEM, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,167,796; Ser. No. 10/964,512,filed Oct. 13, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,308,341; Ser. No. 10/538,724,filed Jun. 13, 2005, and published. Mar. 9, 2006 as U.S. Publication No.2006/0050018; and/or Ser. No, 10/529,715, filed Mar. 30, 2005, now U.S.Pat. No. 7,657,052, which are all hereby incorporated herein byreference) and may include a microphone and/or speaker and/or associatedcircuitry, so that such a telematic feature may be readily added to abaseline mirror assembly via the mirror accessory element of the presentinvention. It is further envisioned that the mirror accessory element ofthe present invention may facilitate after market electronic contentthat may be added to a mirror assembly by a customer, if such additionalor other features are later desired. Various electronic accessoriesand/or circuitry may be provided, such as the types of accessoriesdescribed above, without affecting the scope of the present invention.The electrical elements or devices or circuitry of the accessory moduleor element may receive data and/or transmit data, depending on theparticular circuitry or elements for the particular application of themirror accessory module or element.

Optionally, the common mirror casing 812 may receive an electro-opticreflective element (such as an electrochromic reflective element) andthe circuit board may include the EC control circuitry or othercircuitry, whereby the electrical connection of the EC control circuitryto the terminals or connectors of the reflective element assembly orcell may be made as the mirror accessory element is attached to themirror casing. Other electrical connections may also or otherwise bemade upon mechanical attachment of the mirror module to the mirrorcasing.

Thus, the mirror accessory module or accessory element of the presentinvention may provide one or more electronic accessories or features atthe mirror assembly via attachment of the mirror accessory element tothe mirror casing. The electronic circuitry and/or elements that areincorporated in the mirror accessory module or element or subassemblyare self-contained within the mirror accessory element, and need only beelectrically connected to a power source or control or electrical feedor data feed at the mirror assembly in order to be operational.Optionally, the self-contained elements may include a power source orbattery, so that the mirror accessory element is substantially orentirely self-powered and self-operated separate from the mirrorassembly.

Therefore, the mirror module or accessory element or subassembly andcommon mirror casing of the present invention provides electricalcontent or features (such as a desired or selected feature or accessoryor the like) to a mirror assembly, such that the mirror casing,reflective element and mounting arrangement may comprise commoncomponents across a vehicle line or the like. The mirror assemblies thusmay be readily assembled with different electronic features or contentby attaching an appropriate mirror module or accessory element to themounting portion of the mirror casing. The mirror module or accessoryelement of the present invention thus may readily provide electroniccontent to a baseline, prismatic type mirror without having to re-toolthe mirror casing and without having to provide a circuit board and thelike within the mirror casing, such as at the rear of the reflectiveelement or the like.

Changes and modifications in the specifically described embodiments maybe carried out without departing from the principles of the presentinvention, which is intended to be limited only by the scope of theappended claims as interpreted according to the principles of patentlaw.

1. A video mirror system suitable for use in a vehicle, said videomirror system comprising: an interior rearview mirror assembly mountableat an interior portion of a vehicle, said interior rearview mirrorassembly comprising a reflective element, said reflective element havinga front portion that faces generally towards the driver of the vehiclewhen said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted in the vehicle,and having a rear portion that is generally opposite said front portion;wherein said reflective element comprises an electrochromic reflectiveelement; a video display screen module; said video display screen modulecomprising a liquid crystal display panel; wherein said liquid crystaldisplay panel is back lit by a plurality of white light emitting lightemitting diodes; wherein said video display screen module is disposed tothe rear of said rear portion of said reflective element and whereinsaid reflective element comprises a transflective reflector and whereinthe presence of said video display screen module to the rear of saidrear portion of said reflective element is substantially non-discerniblewhen said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted and is viewed inthe vehicle by the driver with the video display screen module notactivated to display; wherein said video display screen module, whenactivated, displays video images viewable through said transflectivereflector by the driver when said interior rearview mirror assembly ismounted and is viewed in the vehicle; wherein said interior rearviewmirror assembly comprises a control; and wherein said video displayscreen module is operable to display video images that are viewablethrough said transflective reflector by the driver during daytimeviewing that have a driver-viewable display luminance of at least about700 candelas per square meter responsive to an output from said control.2. The video mirror system of claim 1, wherein said video display screenmodule is operable to display video images captured by an imaging systemof the vehicle equipped with said interior rearview mirror assembly. 3.The video mirror system of claim 2, wherein said video display screenmodule is operable to display video images captured by a rear camera ofsaid imaging system when the driver of the vehicle engages reverse gear.4. The video mirror system of claim 3, wherein display of video imagescaptured by said rear camera when the driver of the vehicle engagesreverse gear continues until a threshold criterion is met.
 5. The videomirror system of claim 3, wherein said control comprises an overlayscreen display video controller.
 6. The video mirror system of claim 5,wherein said control overlays a graphical overlay on said video imagescaptured by said rear camera mounted at the rear of the vehicle.
 7. Thevideo mirror system of claim 1, wherein said interior mirror assemblycomprises a graphical overlay capability.
 8. The video mirror system ofclaim 7, wherein said graphical overlay capability comprises at leastone of (i) capability to overlay information over a displayed videoimage, (ii) capability to overlay an icon over a displayed video image,(iii) capability to overlay indicia over a displayed video image and(iv) capability to overlay a marker over a displayed video image.
 9. Thevideo mirror system of claim 7, wherein said control comprises anon-screen display controller.
 10. The video mirror system of claim 9,wherein said graphical overlay capability of said interior rearviewmirror assembly includes generation of a graphic overlay that providesat least one of (a) an indication of distance to an object rearward ofthe vehicle, (b) a highlighting of an object rearward of the vehicle and(c) an alert to the driver.
 11. The video mirror system of claim 10,wherein the display luminance of video images displayed by said videodisplay screen module, as viewed by the driver when said interiorrearview mirror assembly is mounted and is viewed in the vehicle, isautomatically adjusted responsive to an ambient light detection by alight sensor of said interior rearview mirror assembly.
 12. The videomirror system of claim 1, wherein said video display screen modulecomprises a metallic enclosure and at least one of (a) a polarizer filmand (b) a brightness enhancing film.
 13. The video mirror system ofclaim 12, wherein said metallic enclosure is electrically grounded whensaid interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted in the vehicle. 14.The video mirror system of claim 1, wherein said control receives imagedata from an imaging sensor disposed at, on or in the vehicle, andwherein at least one of (a) said image data is received via a twistedpair wire, (b) said image data is received via a shielded twisted pairwire, (c) said image data is received via a data bus of the vehicle, (d)said image data is received via a data bus of the vehicle and whereinsaid data bus comprises a MOST data bus protocol, and (e) said imagedata is received via a data bus of the vehicle and wherein said data buscomprises a FlexRay data bus protocol.
 15. The video mirror system ofclaim 1, wherein said video display screen module displays video imagescaptured by a rear backup camera mounted at the rear of the equippedvehicle.
 16. The video mirror system of claim 15, wherein said videodisplay screen module displays video images captured by said rear backupcamera responsive to engagement by the driver of the reverse gear of thevehicle and wherein said video display screen module is operable todisplay other information during periods when the driver of the vehiclehas not engaged the reverse gear.
 17. The video mirror system of claim16, wherein said other information comprises at least one of (a) videoimages from a camera of the vehicle, (b) navigational information, and(c) information relating to operation of the vehicle.
 18. The videomirror system of claim 17, wherein said video display screen modulecomprises a metallic enclosure and a polarizer film and a brightnessenhancing film.
 19. The video mirror system of claim 18, wherein saidmetallic enclosure is electrically grounded when said interior rearviewmirror assembly is mounted in the vehicle.
 20. The video mirror systemof claim 1, wherein said video display screen module comprises heatingmeans.
 21. The video mirror system of claim 1, wherein said videodisplay screen module comprises a brightness enhancing film.
 22. Thevideo mirror system of claim 21, wherein said brightness enhancing filmcomprises optic features formed in a plastic sheet.
 23. The video mirrorsystem of claim 22, wherein said optic features comprise prismaticfeatures.
 24. The video mirror system of claim 23, wherein saidprismatic features are formed by molding.
 25. The video mirror system ofclaim 23, wherein said prismatic features are formed by extrusion. 26.The video mirror system of claim 23, wherein said video display screenmodule comprises a metallic enclosure and wherein said metallicenclosure is electrically grounded when said interior rearview mirrorassembly is mounted in the vehicle.
 27. A video mirror system suitablefor use in a vehicle, said video mirror system comprising: an interiorrearview mirror assembly mountable at an interior portion of a vehicle,said interior rearview mirror assembly comprising a reflective element,said reflective element having a front portion that faces generallytowards the driver of the vehicle when said interior rearview mirrorassembly is mounted in the vehicle, and having a rear portion that isgenerally opposite said front portion; wherein said reflective elementcomprises an electrochromic reflective element; a video display screenmodule; said video display screen module comprising a video displayselected from the group consisting of a liquid crystal display, a thinfilm transistor liquid crystal display, an organic electroluminescentdisplay, an organic light emitting diode display, an inorganic lightemitting diode display, an electroluminescent display and a vacuumfluorescent display; wherein said video display screen module isdisposed to the rear of said rear portion of said reflective element andwherein said reflective element comprises a transflective reflector andwherein the presence of said video display screen module to the rear ofsaid rear portion of said reflective element is substantiallynon-discernible when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mountedand is viewed in the vehicle by the driver with the video display screenmodule not activated to display; wherein said video display screenmodule, when activated, displays video images viewable through saidtransflective reflector by the driver when said interior rearview mirrorassembly is mounted and is viewed in the vehicle; wherein said interiorrearview mirror assembly comprises a control; wherein said video displayscreen module is operable to display video images that are viewablethrough said transflective reflector by the driver during daytimeviewing that have a driver-viewable display luminance of at least about700 candelas per square meter responsive to an output from said control;wherein said video display screen module displays video images capturedby a rear backup camera mounted at the rear of the equipped vehicleresponsive to engagement by the driver of the reverse gear of thevehicle; and wherein said control overlays a graphical overlay on saidvideo images captured by said rear camera mounted at the rear of thevehicle.
 28. The video mirror system of claim 27, wherein display ofvideo images captured by said rear camera when the driver of the vehicleengages reverse gear continues until a threshold criterion is met. 29.The video mirror system of claim 27, wherein said graphical overlaycomprises at least one of (i) an icon over a displayed video image, (ii)indicia over a displayed video image and (iii) a marker over a displayedvideo image.
 30. The video mirror system of claim 27, wherein saidgraphical overlay provides at least one of (a) an indication of distanceto an object rearward of the vehicle, (b) a highlighting of an objectrearward of the vehicle and (c) an alert to the driver.
 31. The videomirror system of claim 27, wherein said video display screen modulecomprises a metallic enclosure and at least one of (a) a polarizer filmand (b) a brightness enhancing film.
 32. The video mirror system ofclaim 31, wherein said metallic enclosure is electrically grounded whensaid interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted in the vehicle. 33.The video mirror system of claim 27, wherein said control receives imagedata from said rear camera, and wherein at least one of (a) said imagedata is received via a twisted pair wire, (b) said image data isreceived via a shielded twisted pair wire, (c) said image data isreceived via a data bus of the vehicle, (d) said image data is receivedvia a data bus of the vehicle and wherein said data bus comprises a MOSTdata bus protocol, and (e) said image data is received via a data bus ofthe vehicle and wherein said data bus comprises a FlexRay data busprotocol.
 34. The video mirror system of claim 27, wherein said controlcomprises an overlay screen display video controller.
 35. The videominor system of claim 27, wherein said video display screen module isoperable to display other information during periods when the driver ofthe vehicle has not engaged the reverse gear.
 36. The video mirrorsystem of claim 35, wherein said other information comprises at leastone of (a) video images from a camera of the vehicle, (b) navigationalinformation, and (c) information relating to operation of the vehicle.37. The video mirror system of claim 27, wherein said video displayscreen module comprises a metallic enclosure and a polarizer film and abrightness enhancing film.
 38. The video mirror system of claim 37,wherein said metallic enclosure is electrically grounded when saidinterior rearview mirror assembly is mounted in the vehicle.
 39. Thevideo mirror system of claim 38, wherein said video display screenmodule comprising a liquid crystal display panel and wherein said liquidcrystal display panel is back lit by a plurality of white light emittinglight emitting diodes.
 40. The video mirror system of claim 27, whereinsaid video display screen module comprises a monochromatic videodisplay.
 41. The video mirror system of claim 27, wherein said videodisplay screen module comprises a monochromatic video vacuum fluorescentdisplay.
 42. The video mirror system of claim 27, wherein said videodisplay screen module comprises a brightness enhancing film.
 43. Thevideo mirror system of claim 42, wherein said brightness enhancing filmcomprises optic features formed in a plastic sheet.
 44. The video mirrorsystem of claim 43, wherein said optic features comprise prismaticfeatures.
 45. The video mirror system of claim 44, wherein saidprismatic features are formed by molding.
 46. The video mirror system ofclaim 44, wherein said prismatic features are formed by extrusion. 47.The video mirror system of claim 44, wherein said video display screenmodule comprises a metallic enclosure and wherein said metallicenclosure is electrically grounded when said interior rearview mirrorassembly is mounted in the vehicle.
 48. A video mirror system suitablefor use in a vehicle, said video mirror system comprising: an interiorrearview mirror assembly mountable at an interior portion of a vehicle,said interior rearview mirror assembly comprising a reflective element,said reflective element having a front portion that faces generallytowards the driver of the vehicle when said interior rearview mirrorassembly is mounted in the vehicle, and having a rear portion that isgenerally opposite said front portion; a video display screen module;wherein said video display screen module comprises a liquid crystaldisplay panel and wherein said liquid crystal display panel is back litby a plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes; whereinsaid video display screen module is disposed to the rear of said rearportion of said reflective element and wherein said reflective elementcomprises a transflective reflector and wherein the presence of saidvideo display screen module to the rear of said rear portion of saidreflective element is substantially non-discernible when said interiorrearview mirror assembly is mounted and is viewed in the vehicle by thedriver with the video display screen module not activated to display;wherein said video display screen module, when activated, displays videoimages viewable through said transflective reflector by the driver whensaid interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted and is viewed in thevehicle; wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly comprises acontrol; wherein said video display screen module is operable to displayvideo images that are viewable through said transflective reflector bythe driver during daytime viewing that have a driver-viewable displayluminance of at least about 700 candelas per square meter responsive toan output from said control; wherein said video display screen moduledisplays video images captured by a rear backup camera mounted at therear of the equipped vehicle responsive to engagement by the driver ofthe reverse gear of the vehicle; wherein said video display screenmodule comprises a polarizer film and a brightness enhancing film; andwherein said video display screen module comprises a metallic enclosureand wherein said metallic enclosure is electrically grounded when saidinterior rearview mirror assembly is mounted in the vehicle.
 49. Thevideo mirror system of claim 48, wherein display of video imagescaptured by said rear camera when the driver of the vehicle engagesreverse gear continues until a threshold criterion is met.
 50. The videomirror system of claim 48, wherein said control overlays a graphicaloverlay on said video images captured by said rear camera mounted at therear of the vehicle and wherein said graphical overlay comprises atleast one of (i) an icon over a displayed video image, (ii) indicia overa displayed video image and (iii) a marker over a displayed video image.51. The video mirror system of claim 48, wherein said control overlays agraphical overlay on said video images captured by said rear cameramounted at the rear of the vehicle and wherein said graphical overlayprovides at least one of (a) an indication of distance to an objectrearward of the vehicle, (b) a highlighting of an object rearward of thevehicle and (c) an alert to the driver.
 52. The video mirror system ofclaim 48, wherein said control receives image data from said rearcamera, and wherein at least one of (a) said image data is received viaa twisted pair wire, (b) said image data is received via a shieldedtwisted pair wire, (c) said image data is received via a data bus of thevehicle, (d) said image data is received via a data bus of the vehicleand wherein said data bus comprises a MOST data bus protocol, and (e)said image data is received via a data bus of the vehicle and whereinsaid data bus comprises a FlexRay data bus protocol.
 53. The videomirror system of claim 48, wherein said control comprises an overlayscreen display video controller.
 54. The video mirror system of claim48, wherein said video display screen module is operable to displayother information during periods when the driver of the vehicle has notengaged the reverse gear and wherein said other information comprises atleast one of (a) video images from a camera of the vehicle, (b)navigational information, and (c) information relating to operation ofthe vehicle.
 55. The video mirror system of claim 48, wherein saidreflective element comprises an electrochromic reflective element. 56.The video mirror system of claim 48, wherein said reflective elementcomprises a prismatic reflective element.
 57. The video mirror system ofclaim 48, wherein said brightness enhancing film comprises prismaticoptic features.
 58. The video mirror system of claim 48, wherein saidbrightness enhancing film comprises optic features formed in a plasticsheet.
 59. The video mirror system of claim 58, wherein said opticfeatures comprise prismatic features.
 60. The video mirror system ofclaim 59, wherein said prismatic features are formed by molding.
 61. Thevideo mirror system of claim 59, wherein said prismatic features areformed by extrusion.